Rhode Island outlasts BC in double OT

Billy Baron scored seven of his 25 points in the second overtime as Rhode Island escaped Boston College with a 78-72 double-overtime victory Monday afternoon.

Ryan Anderson had 18 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks for BC (5-8). Dennis Clifford and Lonnie Jackson each scored 12 points. Patrick Heckmann added 11 points, including a buzzer-beater at the end of the first overtime to force another five minutes.

Mike Powell added 21 points for URI, and Jonathan Holton had 11 points and nine rebounds. In addition to his 24 points, Baron had eight rebounds. He hit all 11 of his free throws.

URI (3-12) is 2-0 since leading scorer Jamal Wilson was kicked off the team for a violation of team rules Dec. 27.

With the teams tied at 65, URI's Orion Outerbridge (9 points, 11 rebounds) opened the scoring in the second OT with a three-point play. Clifford got two back for BC with a pair of free throws. With 2:12 left, Powell squirmed his way inside for a tough layup. A Baron 3-pointer a minute later pushed the lead to six, 73-67.

Heckmann hit two free throws with 53 seconds left and then, after two Baron free throws, drilled a trey to make it a one-possession game, 75-72, with 40 seconds left.

That's as close as BC would get, as Powell hit 1-of-2 from the line with 21 seconds left, and after a BC miss, Baron hit two more for the final score.

The teams entered the first OT tied at 59. Two free throws from Outerbridge and a 3-pointer by Powell gave the Rams a quick five-point lead.

Clifford finally answered for BC with a dunk with 2:17 left. Following 1-of-2 free throws from Outerbridge, Heckmann tipped in a rebound to get BC within two, 65-63, with over a minute remaining.

After two URI misses, Heckmann forced the second OT when he faked a defender and floated in a short banker at the buzzer.

URI had a chance to win at the end of regulation. Powell tied the game at 59 by hitting 1-of-2 free throws with 21 seconds left. The Rams got the rebound of the second shot, but Baron's jumper in the closing seconds bounced off the back rim.

Rebounding was a problem for BC all day, especially in the overtimes. The Eagles were outrebounded 46-35 overall and allowed URI to gather in 22 offensive rebounds. That's why the Rams were able to win despite shooting just 31 percent from the field (compared to BC's 48 percent). URI had 14 more field goal attempts and 19 more free throw attempts.

BC now prepares to begin the ACC portion of its schedule, visiting North Carolina on Saturday afternoon. URI next hosts Richmond on Saturday night.