KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island continued its four-game home win streak, knocking off the Lafayette men's basketball team 86-72 on Wednesday night.

Sophomore Mark Butler and senior Devin Hines were the Leopards' main options throughout the evening, both going for 12 points and adding three rebounds.

The Rams jumped out to a quick lead at the Ryan Center, 14-0 by the 16-minute mark. Butler put an end to that, sinking a pair of free throws just a minute later to put Lafayette on the board.

Underclassmen Misha Bednostin and Malik Rasul chipped in with two layups and a 3-pointer, respectively, as the Maroon and White began building a 12-3 run, while trailing 26-17 at 6:23.

Rhode Island stretched its lead up to as many as 19 in the first 20 minutes, thanks to a 50 percent shooting from the floor, for a 40-27 advantage at halftime.

The Rams continued to lead 55-39 at the 15-minute mark. Rhode Island's Sebastian Thomas netted six points in the opening 15-12 stretch.

North Macedonia native Luka Savicevic's eight points led four scoring Leopards in retaliation with a 15-4 run for Lafayette down to 11:36, closing the gap to 59-54.

The hosts forged ahead for good from there, using five buckets by David Green in the following six minutes en route to the 14-point final. Joshua Wyche and Bednostin both fouled out before the final whistle. 

Rhode Island shot 51.8 percent from the field with three players in double figures, led by Thomas with 23 points, shooting 11-of-17 from the charity stripe.

The Maroon and White tallied a season high 21-of-27 free throws. Lafayette held its own defensively and out-rebounded the hosts 12-10 on the offensive glass.

The Leopards return to Kirby Sports Center on Sunday for a 1 p.m. tip-off with Rosemont.

 
For the latest on the Lafayette College men's basketball program, follow the Leopards on Twitter @LafayetteMBB and Instagram @lafayettembb.