WASHINGTON (AP) No. 25 Rhode Island needed a second-half rally to finish off Saint Joseph's in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament semifinals Saturday. Now, the Rams are one step closer to repeating their Selection Sunday itinerary from a year ago.

The defending champion Rams (25-6) advanced to the conference title game with a 90-87 victory behind Andre Berry's 18 points and Fatts Russell's two crucial 3-pointers in the final six minutes.

"We talked about what it felt like on Sunday last year, landing at T.F. Green (Airport in Providence) and having hundreds of fans," coach Dan Hurley said. "We want to experience that again and force (Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette) McGlade to hand us a third straight trophy."