Funk leads Saint Joe’s to OT win

PHILADELPHIA » Taylor Funk scored six of his 19 points in overtime and Saint Joseph’s beat VCU 87-81 on Wednesday night to end a two-game skid.

Funk hit three straight free throws and the Hawks led 84-78 on his 3-pointer with 2:09 left in OT. The Rams missed six 3s and a jumper over the next three minutes while James Demery and Pierfrancesco Oliva combined for four more Saint Joseph’s points.

VCU’s Jonathan Williams’ layup tied it at 76 with 10 seconds left in regulation.

The Rams shot 45.5 percent from the floor to the Hawks’ 37.7 percent, but Saint Joseph’s made 29 free throws to the Rams’ five.

Oliva scored 15 points, Nick Robinson and Demery scored 13 each with eight rebounds apiece, and Shavar Newkirk added 12 points for the Hawks (6-7, 1-1 Atlantic 10 Conference).

Justin Tillman scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for VCU (9-6, 1-1), which saw its four-game win streak end. RHODE ISLAND 74, LA SALLE 62 » E.C. Matthews scored a season-best 24 points and grabbed six rebounds and Rhode Island (10-3, 2-0 Atlantic 10) notched its fifth straight win, topping La Salle (7-8, 1-1).

Matthews was 10 of 17 from the field including three 3-pointers for the Rams. Jared Terrell added 14 points, five rebounds and four steals and Cyril Langevine had 11 points and five rebounds.

The Rams had 10 steals contributing to 19 La Salle turnovers.

URI scored 19 points off La Salle turnovers in the first half and took a 33-26 lead into the intermission. The Rams outscored the Explorers (7-8, 1-1) 41-36 in the second half for the win.

Isiah Deas scored 17 points with seven rebounds for La Salle. Pookie Powell added 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists and Amar Stukes chipped in 12 points.w