GAME NOTES: The Saint Louis Billikens are set to conclude their season-opening three-game homestand today, as they square off against the Boston College Eagles in non-conference play at Chaifetz Arena. The Billikens enter the tilt on a down note, as they suffered a 76-74 overtime loss to Kent State on Wednesday. It was the first-ever loss at the new Chaifetz Arena by SLU, which opened the venue and its season with a 48-33 triumph over Missouri-St. Louis. The Billikens head away from home after this contest for three straight games, starting with Nebraska on Tuesday. As for BC, it too opened play with a three- game homestand, winning each contest by double figures. Most recently, the Eagles downed St. John's, 82-70, in the second round of the NIT Season Tip- Off on Tuesday. With the win, BC advances to the semifinal round of the tournament to be held at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Eagles and Billikens met for the first-ever time on the hardwood last season, with BC capturing a 61-39 victory.

The Eagles drained 49.2 percent of their field goal tries and converted on 19- of-26 free-throw attempts, as they defeated St. John's on Tuesday. The team also won the battle on the boards, 42-28, including a 17-11 edge on the offensive glass. Tyrese Rice led the charge with 28 points and nine assists. It was an outstanding effort from Rice, who missed the opener before putting forth 16 points and six assists in a win over Loyola-Maryland on Monday. Joe Trapani added 19 points in the game against St. John's, while Rakim Sanders notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. On the season, Trapani is netting 17 points and grabbing 5.7 rpg, and Sanders is producing 13.0 ppg and 7.3. rpg. As a team, BC is turning in 84.0 ppg, in addition to outrebounding its opponents by 11.3 rpg.

Al Fisher's bucket with three seconds left in overtime was the difference, as SLU was downed, 76-74, by Kent State on Wednesday. It was a tough ending for the Billikens, who kept things close by shooting 48.0 percent from the floor and converting 21-of-28 free-throw attempts. Kevin Lisch guided the club in defeat with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists. Tommie Liddell III also had a big game for SLU, registering a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. In the opener, Liddell III had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Billikens.

BC is definitely the more explosive of the two teams here and with another big effort from Rice, it should come out on top today.