ST. AUGUSTINE – The University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras used a 22-9 run to open the second half and held off Flagler College for a 95-89 victory in a non-conference men's basketball game Wednesday night at Flagler Gymnasium.

P.R.-Rio Piedras evened its record at 1-1 while Flagler fell to 2-3.

Esteban Cordero answered a 3-pointer by Matt Clark with a layup to knot the game at 48 and then a steal by Angel Torres would lead to a transition layup by Omar De Jesus to give the Gallitos a 50-48 lead with 17:41 left. A missed jumper led to another fastbreak layup, but this time it was Torres which pushed the lead to four.

The deficit would swell to as many as 12 (70-58) when Bryan Rodriguez drained a 3-pointer with 10:40 left.

The Saints chipped away and pulled to within a basket (84-82) after Keshaun Hamilton sank a 3-pointer with 4:15 left, but Flagler couldn't get over the hump.

In the last two minutes of the game, P.R.-Rio Piedras sank 9-of-10 free throws to help clinch the victory.

De Jesus scored a game-high 31 points and he made all 15 of his free throw attempts. He also sank four 3-pointers. Cordero added 24 points and five rebounds. He was 8-of-12 from the field and 6-of-8 from the free throw line. Kristian Medina tacked on 11 points and grabbed five rebounds.

The Gallitos shot 87.5% (28-32) from the free throw line and sank 11 3-pointers. They forced 16 Flagler turnovers and turned those into 22 points.

Keshaun Hamilton recorded a double-double for the Saints with 17 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. Clark and Vaughn McCall each tallied 19 points. Keith Gray added 16 points and nine rebounds while Nick Grier chipped in with 12 points.

The Saints shot 50% (28-52) from the field which included a 60.9% (14-23) mark from the field in the first half. Flagler led 45-42 at the break.

Flagler hosts the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Saturday (Nov. 28) at 7:30 p.m. at Flagler Gymnasium.