SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Jared Terrell flashed a rueful grin as he listened to the question.
It’s been 12 months since La Salle last visited the Ryan Center, but the University of Rhode Island guard and his teammates hardly need a reminder of that particular evening.
The Rams were run off their home floor by the Explorers last January, allowing a season-high 87 points. It was one of three Atlantic 10 home defeats for URI last year.
“Even if we did forget, Coach [Dan] Hurley does a good job of reminding us of that,” Terrell said. “We’ve got a chip on our shoulder. We’ve got an edge going into that game.”
The Rams also ride a four-game winning streak into Wednesday night’s game against La Salle (7-7, 1-0), looking to close out their longest homestand with a sweep. URI (9-3) was dominant in an 83-64 win over George Mason in Saturday’s conference opener, but those thinking the Rams might have reveled in that success while the ball dropped in Times Square haven’t been paying attention.
“There have been plenty of reminders today about what went on here last year,” Hurley said. “It was embarrassing. We played an embarrassing game. And it was more than a loss — it was personally embarrassing.”
Amar Stukes needed just six field goal attempts to total 22 points, BJ Johnson and Pookie Powell each added 16 and La Salle built a 28-point lead early in the second half on its way to an 87-75 win. URI suddenly had back-to-back conference losses, part of a sputtering start that was eventually erased by a superb finish. The Rams found their mojo down the stretch and won nine straight games, a streak that carried them all the way to the NCAA Tournament.
“I wouldn’t say it’s as much confidence as it was in March, but I feel like we’re getting back to that,” URI guard Jarvis Garrett said. “And by us getting back to that, I just feel like we can play with anybody at that level.”
The Patriots were powerless after URI pumped in the game’s first 11 points, eventually building its lead to 32 midway through the second half. E.C. Matthews led the way with 18 points and Terrell added 16, as the two senior scorers worked together in perfect harmony. URI also had 24 assists, its most since Hurley was hired.
“I think it’s a simple script for us,” Hurley said. “We’re just going to follow it every time we play. Play really hard, play great defense and then pass the ball.”
Johnson (ankle) has missed La Salle’s last two games, but the Syracuse transfer is one of the league’s elite players when healthy. The lefthander leads the conference at 21.8 points per game and also pulls down 9.1 rebounds. Powell was 12-for-19 from the field and scored 28 points in an 83-60 win over Saint Louis on Saturday.
“They’re a good team that I think is going to finish in the top five, top six of our league,” Hurley said. “So it’s a tough game.”