Rhode Island Starters
Russell, Sheppard, Walker, Martin, Makhel Mitchell
 
St. Bonaventure Starters
Lofton, Welch, Holmes, Osunniyi, Adaway
 
How it Happened
Jeremy Sheppard scored a game-high 17 points and Antwan Walker added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds to lead Rhode Island to a 63-57 win over St. Bonaventure Wednesday.

The Rams (4-5, 1-1 Atlantic 10) got at least six points from six different players as a balanced attack and a big edge on the boards keyed the victory. URI outrebounded the Bonnies, 42-29.  Coming into the game, St. Bonaventure (2-1, 0-1 A-10) was averaging 42 rebounds per game.

Rhode Island trailed by two points at the half, but it scored the first 13 points of the second half to take a 40-29 lead following a Sheppard 3-pointer with 14:55 to go. The Bonnies used a 13-2 run of their own to tie the score 42-42 with 8:29 left on a 3-pointer from Alejandro Vasquez.

The score was tied two more times, but Rhode Island never trailed again. A dunk from Makhel Mitchell and a 3-pointer from Walker pushed the lead back to five points at 52-47, and the Rams maintained their lead the rest of the way. Sheppard and Fatts Russell combined to go 6-of-6 at the free throw line in the final minute to help clinch the win.

Inside the Box Score

• Redshirt junior Antwan Walker had his second career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. He also had two assists and one block.
• It was the fourth time this season he had at least 10 rebounds.
• Senior Jeremy Sheppard had a game-high 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting. He added three steals on defense.
• Junior Jermaine Harris had a strong game in the paint. He had eight points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field to go with 10 rebounds, which matched his career high. Harris also made both of his free throw attempts.
• Senior Fatts Russell had nine points, five assists and two steals.
• Junior Malik Martin and sophomore Makhel Mitchell each had six points. Martin added five rebounds, four of which came on the offensive end.
• Junior Jalen Carey had six rebounds and three assists
• Rhode Island had 14 assists on 22 field goals, sharing the ball well. Six different players had at least one assist.
• Rhode Island's defense held the Bonnies to 39.3 percent from the floor.

Up Next
Rhode Island is back at home Sunday, Jan. 3 when it hosts Saint Joseph's. The game begins at 4:32 p.m. on NBCSN, with Rich Lerner and Tim McCormick on the call.