The Associated Press

DAYTON - Martin Osimani made four free throws in the final 8.6 seconds to lead Duquesne to a 79-76 victory over Massachusetts Wednesday in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

The Dukes (12-16) will meet Dayton (22-7) in a quarterfinal today at the University of Dayton Arena.

Massachusetts (10-19) scored six points in a row to take a 71-67 lead with 2:32 left, but Duquesne pulled even on two free throws by Bryant McAllister and a baseline jumper by Jack Higgins.

McAllister then hit a short jumper with 1:10 left for a 73-71 lead. UMass missed a 3-point attempt and, on the ensuing trip down the floor, McAllister was knocked down by UMass' Jeff Viggiano. Tyler Bluemling was sent in to shoot the free throws for the woozy McAllister, and he made both with 32.2 seconds left for a 75-71 lead.

Rashaun Freeman scored with 10 seconds remaining to cut the lead to two.

Osimani, who had not despite playing 31 minutes, was fouled on the inbounds pass and made both shots with 8.6 seconds left.

Brennan Martin threw in a 3-pointer from the deep corner to cut the lead to 77-76, and the Minutemen again fouled Osimani on the inbounds.

He again made both shots with 1.8 seconds remaining.

Rhode Island 55, La Salle 42

DAYTON - Steve Mello hit two key first-half 3-pointers for the Rams (19-12), who will face George Washington (17-10) today.

The Rams played most of the game without leading scorer Dawan Robinson, who fell over a defender in the first half. He sustained a back contusion and is questionable for today.

Richmond 67, Fordham 47

DAYTON - Reggie Brown hit three consecutive 3-pointers in a 16-6 run to lead the Spiders (19-11), who will play Temple (15-12) today. Brown, averaging 7.2 points a game, led Richmond with 15 points.