SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Senior wide receiver Shawn Leonard caught a pair of touchdown passes, but it was not enough as the University of Rhode Island was defeated, 39-14, by William and Mary Saturday at Meade Stadium.

Rams quarterback Chris Paul-Etienne threw for 175 yards, completing passes to six different receivers. He also tossed a pair of touchdown passes, which was a career-high for a single game.

Leonard’s two scores marked the fourth time in his career in which he has recorded a pair of TD receptions in a single game. Leonard’s last two-touchdown performance came on Oct. 10 at home against William and Mary.

Defensively for the Rams, junior linebackers Matt Hansen (16), Rob Damon (11) and Dan O’Connell (10) each finished with 10-or-more tackles. Hansen’s 16-tackle performance was a career-high and it marked the third time this season he has tallied 10-or-more tackles in a single game.

Rhody took the early lead as Paul-Etienne found Leonard in the front corner of the end zone to give the Rams a 7-0 advantage in the first quarter. The scoring drive was set up after senior wide receiver Joe Bellini tackled Tribe punter David Miller in the backfield after he had trouble handling a high snap. Paul-Etienne then directed the Rhody offense 26 yards in eight plays for the score. Paul-Etienne hit Bellini on a fourth-and-9 situation, which kept the drive alive.

William and Mary responded by scoring 21 unanswered points to take a 21-7 lead into the locker room. The final touchdown of the half came when quarterback R.J. Archer hit tight end Rob Varno in end zone with 14 seconds remaining, capping a 13-play, 67-yard drive.

Defensively in the first half, Rhody held CAA leading rusher Jonathan Grimes to just 20 yards. Grimes finished the game with 54 yards.

In the second half, William and Mary outscored Rhody, 18-7.

Rhody’s final touchdown came with 1:29 remaining in the fourth quarter as Leonard hauled in a 29-yard pass from Paul-Etienne, which capped a five play, 73-yard drive.

Rhody returns to action next week as it heads north to take on New Hampshire. Kickoff is set for noon