KINGSTON, R.I. - University of Massachusetts senior guard Ricky Harris had a memorable day in a forgettable game Saturday afternoon.

He continued to put his offensive slump in the rear-view mirror with a season-high 32 points as the Minutemen lost 93-85 at Rhode Island. Harris was 10-for-17 from the floor and three-for-six from 3-point range.

"When he doesn't press himself, I think he can be the best offensive player in the league," UMass coach Derek Kellogg said. "When he presses less and doesn't try to score, he scores more. In the second half against Xavier he was fantastic and he did that again in spurts" Saturday.

Harris now has 1,760 points in his career, fourth all-time at UMass. He passed No. 5 Lorenzo Sutton (1,731) and former teammate No. 4 Rashaun Freeman (1,744).

Harris needs 145 points to catch No. 3 Lou Roe (1,905). With seven regular-season games left, Harris would have to average 20.7 to tie Roe.

The 32 points were three shy of the career-high for Harris which came last year against Boston College. It was the third time he scored 30 or more in his career and the 37th time he's cleared 20. Harris has reached double figures in 33 straight games.

LOOKING AHEAD - After three straight losses against teams in NCAA Tournament contention - Charlotte, Xavier and Rhode Island - the Minutemen (8-15, 2-7 Atlantic 10) play their next three against teams with losing conference records. They are at Duquesne (12-11, 3-6 A-10) at 7 p.m. Thursday in Pittsburgh, host Saint Joseph's (9-14, 3-6 A-10) at 4 p.m. Sunday and travel to George Washington (12-10, 2-7 A-10) at 7 p.m. Feb. 17.

The Dukes beat the Colonials 70-63 in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, and the Hawks defeated St. Bonaventure 78-71 in Philadelphia on Sunday.

"Playing against teams like this you learn to value possessions. Every mistake we made they executed and took advantage off," Harris said about Saturday's loss. "The next few games coming up we're at the same level in the conference. We could come out with three or four good wins."

Sean Carter said the key to being successful in those games is a 40-minute effort.

"Over the next couple weeks we're playing teams with (similar) records. This is a big stretch for us, he said. "We have to show what we can do.

"That's the one thing that's kept us from being a good team, competing for 40 minutes," Carter added. "That's what these teams (that UMass has played recently) do and that's why they're tournament teams."

Kellogg believes his team is capable of a surge.

"Unfortunately it's late in the season, but I think we can make a late run here and do some things," he said.

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. For more UMass coverage, including a UMass sports blog, go to http://www.gazettenet.com/blog/umass-sports.