KINGSTON, R.I. – Despite graduate student Javante McCoy leading all players with 19 points, the Boston University men's basketball team dropped a hard-fought 71-62 battle at Rhode Island on Tuesday night in the season opener for both programs.

The Terriers (0-1) rallied to cut a 12-point deficit to a two-possession game multiple times during the final 2:30 of regulation but were unable to overcome a strong URI (1-0) defensive effort that featured 13 steals and 10 blocks.

Senior Walter Whyte joined fellow preseason All-PL honoree McCoy in double figures at 11 points while adding a personal-best four steals. Graduate student Sukhmail Mathon nearly had a double-double with a game-high 11 rebounds and nine points.

Four of the Rams' starters scored in double figures with Ishmael Leggett shooting 6-of-10 from the field and 6-of-7 at the line for 18 points. Ishmael El-Amin was a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe en route to 13 points while adding two blocks, two steals and two assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• BU had a turnover on its first three possessions and combined with URI for nine miscues through the first six minutes but only trailed 5-4 following junior Nevin Zink's putback at 14:24.
• Senior Jonas Harper flushed a 3-pointer from the corner to put the deficit at 9-7 at 12:10, but the Rams responded with a 10-2 run capped by Jalen Carey's jumper at 7:14.
• Down by as many as 12 (23-11), McCoy drove to the hoop in the half's final possession to cut URI's lead to 36-27 entering the locker room.
• Mathon followed McCoy's 3-pointer with an offensive rebound and layup to pull within six, 40-34, at 17:51.
• Down again by as many as 12 (47-35), the Terriers chipped away and used two junior Garrett Pascoe free throws, Whyte's putback and a McCoy free throw to put the deficit at 57-52 with 5:57 left.
• After URI went 1-of-2 at the line, Mathon hit both of his free throw attempts to pull BU even closer, 59-55, at 2:15.
• On the ensuing possession, the Rams missed a 3-point attempt but grabbed the offensive rebound and added a free throw after drawing a foul.
• URI then all but put the game away after El-Amin converted on Leggett's third steal with a 3-pointer.
• BU twice cut the deficit to five during the final 45 seconds, but the Rams sealed the win by hitting all eight free throw attempts during that stretch.

GAME NOTES

• McCoy now owns 1,340 career points, 27 shy of tying Rashad Bell ('05) for the No. 13 slot in the program record book.
• Whyte is just 81 points away from becoming the 40th Terrier to reach the 1,000-point milestone.
• Pascoe came off the bench to tie a personal best with seven points while adding two assists.
• Zink and freshman Malcolm Chimezie made their debuts in the first game with the USC Upsate transfer Zink hitting a pair of short field goals and adding three rebounds.
• BU finished the contest shooting 20-of-55 FG (.364) and 7-of-27 3FG (.259), while the Rams shot 23-of-47 (.489) and 2-of-6 3FG (.333).
• The Terriers won the battle at the boards, 34-33, and outscored the Rams in second-chance opportunities, 12-7.
• URI though outscored the Terriers in the paint, 34-26, and at the free throw line, 23-15, while posting a 21-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
• Celebrating his birthday, head coach Joe Jones returned to the site where he won his first game with the Terriers back on Nov. 26, 2011.
• The Rams though avenged that 70-64 defeat to improve to 22-12 all-time in the series.

UP NEXT

• BU will open the 14-game home slate on Friday (Nov. 12) at 5 p.m. against Gordon College.
• The teams will be meeting for the first time ever.