PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Jameer Nelson had 20 points and Pat Carroll a pair of three-pointers in an early second-half run as No. 3 Saint Joseph's took a 73-59 win over Rhode Island.
The Hawks (22-0) moved within five wins of a perfect regular season by finally wearing a Rhode Island team that had the score within single digits with 7:16 left.
Delonte West and Tyrone Barley each scored 14 points for the Hawks.
Saint Joseph's has not been seriously challenged of late and has won 14 of its last 16 games by double digits. But the Rams (14-11) played a hustling, defensive-minded game in an effort to keep it close.
Brian Woodward scored 19 points for the Rams, who were within five points at halftime.
Saint Joseph's opened the second half with a 13-2 spurt, taking a 49-33 lead with 14:13 left. Carroll had eight points in that span.
