Boston College Men’s Basketball Improves to 1-1 After Defeating URI

The Boston College men’s basketball team earned a somewhat messy win over Rhode Island today to earn the third place spot in the 2K Empire Classic, defeating the Rams 69-64. The Eagles were without Jay Heath, who is out with a foot injury.

Neither team built up much of a buffer throughout the game, and the lead changed 8 times throughout the matchup. URI led for the first 10 minutes of the second half and it looked like BC might end up losing this one, but a pair of 3s from Kraljevic (who had just entered the game) and Kelly tied things up at 48 and BC took the lead for the remainder of the game from there.

Both teams were pretty evenly matched, with BC making 42% of their field goals and URI making 46%, URI allowing 15 turnovers and BC allowing 14, and BC leading in rebounds 34-32. Both teams also struggled from the free throw line - the Eagles went 20-34 and the Rams went 9-18.

Wynston Tabbs led in scoring and rebounding for BC, picking up a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Steffon Mitchell (15) and Rich Kelly (11) also scored in the double digits for the Eagles.

BC returns to action on Monday (still at Mohegan Sun Arena) to face St. John’s.