Kingston, RI (SportsNetwork.com) - Gilvydas Biruta scored 16 points and pulled down nine rebounds as the Rhode Island Rams defeated the La Salle Explorers, 59-47, in a Atlantic 10 Conference battle at the Ryan Center.

Hassan Martin added 14 points, grabbed nine rebounds and recorded a program single-game record with nine blocked shots for the Rams (12-5, 4-2 A-10). E.C. Matthews chipped in with 13 points and six rebounds, but turned the ball over seven times as Rhode Island ended a two-game losing streak.

As for the Explorers (10-9, 2-4), Jerrell Wright scored 18 points and Khalid Lewis added 10 points. Steve Zach chipped in with nine points and 10 rebounds.

The Explorers shot a dismal 25 percent from the field and 1-of-5 from beyond the arc in the first half. The Rams shot 45.8 percent from the field and outrebounded La Salle, 22-13, as Rhode Island took a comfortable 28-17 lead into the break.

In the second half, the Explorers improved to shoot 40.6 percent from the floor, while the Rams shot 58.8 percent and add 10-of-17 from the free-throw line to coast to the win.

Rhode Island set a program record for blocked shots in a single game with 15. The previous record was 14, which was set back on Nov. 30, 1997.