The University of Rhode Island Rams (8-1) spoiled Rakim Sanders’ comeback as they downed the Boston College Eagles (6-4), 80-69, behind Keith Cothran’s game-high 19 points. Though Sanders would score a team-high 14 points, it would not be enough to counter the Rams’ stellar shooting from beyond the arc and balanced scoring attack; URI finished with an impressive 60 percent from 3-point range, sinking nine of its 15 chances, and also recorded five players in double figures.
Sanders returned from an injured ankle and came out strong as he scored four of the team’s first eight points, finishing the first half with 11. The first half saw the Eagles maintain a slim lead through the first 10 minutes, but the Rams never let them get further away than a three-point lead. BC saw its lead vanish after the opening 10 minutes and would not find it again for the rest of the game. The Rams went on an 8-0 run, spurred by two back-to-back 3-pointers by URI’s Akeem Richmond.
The Eagles, a normally very productive team from 3-point land, only took four such shots in the first half, with Sanders making the lone one of the half. The Rams, on the other hand, dropped in six of eight. Looking virtually identical across the stat line excluding the difference in 3-pointers, the Eagles and Rams went into the locker rooms at halftime with the Rams up 33-25.
The Eagles came out in the second half with more energy as Biko Paris scored a quick four points and also forced a turnover, reducing the Rams’ lead to seven points. Continued accuracy from beyond the arc, however, would continue to stretch out the Rams’ lead in the second half.
“We didn’t defend the way we have to, and that’s going to have to improve,” Skinner said. “Perimeter defense, interior defense – it all needs to get better.”
The URI defense went into the full-court press early in the first half, exploiting the Eagles’ struggling guard play and ability to maneuver amid intense pressure. The defensive pressure continued all game long, forcing BC into 14 turnovers, including a sloppy nine in the first half.
“We had pressure on us this game, but we didn’t last game [against Harvard] and we had the same amount of turnovers. We’re just making poor decisions,” Skinner said. Those poor decisions led to 15 of URI’s points.
BC’s Tyler Roche left the game in the first half, when an old back injury flared up after only six minutes of playing time. While he returned to the bench, he did not go back in the game and appeared in visible discomfort. Without Roche’s presence on the court, BC had to change around rotations and was clearly playing short-handed.
“When he was in the game, we kind of bounced back; he’s big for us out on the floor,” Skinner said. “We couldn’t rely on that in the second half, and it definitely hurt us.”
The loss to URI marks the Eagles’ second in a row after losing to Harvard at home Wednesday night. BC shot 37.5 percent that night and a slightly improved 44.8 percent against URI; however, in both losses, the opposing team shot at least 50 percent. “We have to get more coordinated on the defensive end if we’re going to get back to winning ball games,” Skinner said.
The loss to URI drops the Eagles to a 6-4 record before the bulk of ACC play. “We’re really fighting ourselves right now,” Skinner said. The Eagles look to get back on track Sunday afternoon against Bryant at 4 p.m. in Conte Forum.
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