The Rams lead the Atlantic 10 Conference in scoring, while the Billikens are second in scoring defense.
The Rams hit their first four shots of the game and jumped to a quick 8-0 lead. Barry Eberhardt put the Billikens on the board with a layup.
After a Tommie Liddell III hoop, Kevin Lisch drained a 3-pointer as SLU closed to 10-7. The Billikens remained down by three after an Eberhardt hoop eight minutes into the contest. Willie Reed threw down a dunk midway through the half as the Billikens drew to within one 14-13.
The Rams hit their first 3-pointer of the day and edged out to a 19-14 lead with seven minutes left in the first half. The Billikens got to 21-18 on a Kwamain Mitchell drive, but URI scored six in a burst and stretched the margin to 27-18. A jump hook by Reed finally ended the Rams' run.
Mitchell scored five points in a row to help the Billikens close it, but URI took a 32-25 lead into halftime.
The Rams started the second half like they began the game and scored eight of the first 10 points to open up a 40-27 lead. Lisch sank a 3-pointer and two free throws to help SLU close to 41-32. A Mitchell 3-pointer and Conklin layup got SLU to single digits at 46-37 with 9:20 left. However, the Rams answered with five straight to rebuild a 51-37 lead.
Brett Thompson hit his first 3-pointer of the year, and Mitchell scored on a drive to keep the Billikens in it 53-42 with seven to play. Conklin scored five straight points in the late going, and a Mitchell 3-pointer trimmed the deficit to 61-52 with 2:42 remaining.
The Billikens are 15-10, 6-5 in the A-10, while the Rams now stand at 18-8, 7-4 in the A-10. The Billikens are next in action Wednesday, Feb. 18, in a 9 p.m. game as Saint Joseph's visits Chaifetz Arena.