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Sharp-shooting Rhode Island aims for win vs. stingy Saint Louis

Jan 17, 2008 - 2:21 PM No. 21 Rhode Island (15-2) at Saint Louis (9-7) 8:00 pm EST

ST LOUIS (Ticker) -- Sharp-shooting No. 21 Rhode Island faces a tough test on Thursday when it visits stingy Saint Louis in an Atlantic 10 matchup.

Rhode Island (15-2, 1-1 Atlantic 10) is shooting a conference-leading 49 percent from the field this season - 37 percent from 3-point range - and is averaging 83.0.

The Rams responded from a loss to then-No. 22 Dayton in their conference opener by claiming a narrow 80-78 victory over Duquesne during their last game on Sunday.

Jimmy Baron scored 14 points against Duquesne, including a turnaround fadeaway jumper with 3.2 seconds left in the game to lift Rhode Island to its 10th win in 11 contests.

Saint Louis (9-7, 0-2) leads the Atlantic 10 in scoring defense, limiting the opposition to just 58.0 points per game this season.

Despite their strong defense, the Billikens have had a hard time winning games due to their offense, which has scored a combined 77 points in their last two outings - both losses.

Saint Louis scored just 20 points against George Washington on January 10, setting a Division I record for fewest points in a game during the shot clock era, before falling, 68-57, to Dayton during its last game on Saturday.