KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) Kadeem Batts broke a 49-49 tie with a free throw with 22.1 seconds left and Providence held on for a 50-49 victory over intra-state rival Rhode Island Thursday night.

After Batts hit only 1 of 2 free throws, the Rams (6-4) set up for a last try, but freshman E.C. Matthews shot an air ball on a fade-away jumper, with Providence's LaDontae Henton grabbing the rebound as time expired.

Bryce Cotton of the Friars (8-2) led all scorers with 15 points, but it was two offensive rebounds and scores by Tyler Harris that wound up as the difference.