Nov. 21, 2007

Box Score

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Will Daniels scored a game-high 25 points, leading two others in double-figures, as the Rams dropped their first game of the 2007-08 season, 76-70, at Boston College.

Daniels was 11-for-20 from the floor, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. He also grabbed five rebounds, blocked three shots, and had two steals in 34 minutes.

In a reversal of last year's contest at Conte Forum, the Eagles (4-0) got out to the fast start offensively. BC knocked down its first three attempts from the perimeter, for a 17-7 lead just four minutes into the contest.

But Rhode Island would respond with a 16-3 run over the next 6:30, capped by a Jimmy Baron layup, to take a 23-20 lead with 9:24 to go in the first half. Rhody would extend its lead to as many as 11, after a steal by Marquis Jones led to a Parfait Bitee layup with 5:23 left. URI would lead, 37-30, at the break.

BC opened the second half on a 7-2 push, cutting the Rhody lead to two - at 39-37. But the Rams would respond with an 8-3 run of its own, as Lamonte Ulmer's jumper made it 47-40 with 13:36 to play in regulation.

Again, the Eagles went on a scoring run, tallying seven unanswered to tie it at 47-47 at the 11:00 mark. The two teams traded baskets - and the lead - for the next 7:30. Daniels converted a traditional three-point play with 3:37 to go, knotting the score at 67-67, but that was as close as the Rams would get.

"We didn't defend. We didn't execute, share the ball, or lock them up," Daniels said. "We didn't play Rhode Island basketball. They're a good team, with lots of tradition, and if you're going to come to BC and expect to win, you have to play well."

Lamonte Ulmer added 13 points and four boards off the bench, while Jimmy Baron had 10 points four rebounds and three assists. Bitee would dish out a team-best six assists. Keith Cothran notched four steals.

"We gave them too many opportunities and they did what they had to do." Jimmy Baron said.

Rhode Island returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 24 when it hosts Toledo at the Ryan Center. Tipoff time is set for 7 p.m.

To purchase tickets, stop by the Ryan Center box office or click here.