KINGSTON, R.I. – Ryan Williams tied a career-high with 21 points and for the second straight game the Northeastern men's basketball team (4-7) turned a double-digit deficit into a tight game down the stretch, but ran out of time at Rhode Island (9-4) on Monday night at the Ryan Center, 85-77.
 
The Huskies trailed by as many as 13 early in the second half before battling back to bring it within three with 12:13 to go, 63-60, highlighted by three straight triples from Mike Loughnane, Williams and William Kermoury. After a quick 9-2 Rhode Island run brought the Rams lead back up to 10 with eight minutes left, Northeastern still wouldn't go away, hitting five of its next seven shots to cut it to two points with 2:33 left.
 
But it was Rhode Island's night, capping off a 55% shooting performance with the final six points of the night to escape with the win.
 
Williams finished the night 6-of-8 overall and 5-of-6 from deep to lead all scorers and three Huskies in double figures. He was joined by Xander Alarie, who went for 12 points and eight rebounds, while Loughnane added 11 points and four assists. The Huskies finished the night 24-of-49 (49%) from the field and 10-of-21 from deep.
 
The Rams, meanwhile, went 33-of-60 overall and poured in 42 points in the paint with six players in double figures led by 19 from RJ Johnson.
 
The Huskies will open conference action on Monday, Dec. 29 when Northeastern travels to Elon for a 7 p.m. tipoff on FloCollege.