Rhode Island Starters
Fatts Russell, Jeremy Sheppard, Antwan Walker, Jalen Carey, Makhi Mitchell
 
Boston College Starters
C.J. Felder, Makai Ashton-Langford, Wynston Tabbs, DeMarr Langford, Steffon Mitchell
 
How it Happened
Rhode Island (0-2) could not maintain a second-half lead as it faltered late in a loss to Boston College in the consolation game of the 2K Empire Classic Thursday night.

Down by eight points late in the first half, the Rams held BC (1-1) scoreless over the final 4:35 of the opening half. Spurred by its defense, Rhody closed the half on a 10-1 run, taking a 31-30 lead into the break.

Boston College used a 7-2 spurt at the start of the second period to take a 37-33 lead. Rhode Island appeared to take control. Fatts Russell scored the game's next seven points, sparking a 9-0 run that gave Rhode Island its first multi-possession lead of the night, 42-37, with 15:47 to go.

The lead got as high a six points at 48-42 following a layup by Ishmael Leggett off a Boston College turnover.

The Eagles got back-to-back 3-pointers from Luka Kraljevic and Rich Kelly to knot the score. Russell hit a free throw to put Rhody up 49-48, but that was Rhody's final lead of the game. BC's Wynston Tabbs hit a layup with 9:24 to go to put the Eagles ahead 50-49. Boston College never relinquished the slight lead, handing the Rams their second loss of the season.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Senior Fatts Russell scored a game-high 23 points to go with four steals, three assists and three rebounds.
• It was the 60th time scoring in double figures for Russell in 98 career games. It also was his 26th career 20-point game.
• Russell also claimed sole possession of fifth place in program history with his first steal of the night. He passed Jared Terrell (170 from 2014-18). Russell needs one more to tie Andre Samuel (175 from 1990-94) for fourth place.
• Senior Jeremy Sheppard finished with 10 points and a career-high six rebounds. All of his scoring came in the second half.
• Freshman Ishmael Leggett provided a boost off the bench, scoring seven points and getting a steal in 15 minutes.
• Sophomore Makhi Mitchell had six points and tied Antwan Walker for team-high honors with six rebounds.
• After a sharp performance from the perimeter in the opener Wednesday night, the Rams were just 3-for-18 from the arc Thursday.
• Despite the struggles from the outside, the Rams still shot 46.1 percent from the floor as a team.
• Fouls were an issue, as the Rams were whistled 27 times. Rhode Island has committed 56 fouls in two games. Last season, Rhody committed 17.3 fouls per game.
• Fatts Russell was named to the 2K Empire All-Tournament Team, along with Villanova's Justin Moore, Arizona State's Remy Martin and Boston College's Steffon Mitchell. For the two games, Russell averaged 17.5 points, 4.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals. He had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.5-to-1.

Up Next
After a day off Friday, Rhode Island will remain in Mohegan Sun's Bubbleville to play in the Air Force Reserve Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off. The Rams plays South Florida Saturday at 5:30 p.m. (ESPN3) and then San Francisco on Sunday (ESPN2). That game also has a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.