Atlantic City, N.J. - Despite a game-high 18 points from Kwamain Mitchell, the Saint Louis Billikens fell to Rhode Island 63-47 in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship in Atlantic City, N.J., on Friday afternoon. The Billikens, who were the No. 4 seed for the tourney, fall to 20-11 on the season. The fifth-seeded Rams improve to 23-8 and face No. 1 Temple on Saturday.

On the first possession of the game, Mitchell drained a 3-pointer to put the Billikens on top. After two hoops by the Rams, Christian Salecich sank a short jumper for a 5-4 SLU lead. The contest was tied at 8-8 before the Billikens kept URI off the scoreboard for more than six minutes. Cassity hit a jumper and a 3-pointer as the Billikens took their largest lead of the day 13-8 with 11:31 to play in the first half.

However, Akeem Richmond sank four treys to spark the Rams on a 16-1 run to take a 24-14 lead. Mitchell scored on a layup, and after one free throw by the Rams, a Brian Conklin bucket drew SLU to 25-18. However, the Bills managed just one free throw over the last four minutes of the half as the Rams took a 28-19 lead at intermission.

The Rams scored two straight baskets to open the half until Willie Reed scored to cut the gap to 32-21. The Billikens were still down 11 but URI scored 11 of the next 15 points to claim a 45-27 lead with 12 minutes left to play. One free throw by Willie Reed started a brief 5-0 run, as Jon Smith hit a wing jumper and Reed threw down a dunk to cut the gap to 45-32 with 9:32 to play. Conklin's inside score brought the Billikens to 48-36 at the 7:30 mark, but SLU could not get any closer.

Mitchell hit 7-of-11 shots from the field, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range to go along with three rebounds and three assists. Reed and Cody Ellis tied for team rebounding honors with six. Lamonte Ulmer led URI with 16 points, while Akeem Richmond added 13.