NEWTON, Mass. -- The Friars have just one nonconference game remaining before the Big East schedule tips off, but it's clear that the first 11 games have been highlighted by lost possibilities.

Yesterday's 81-76 loss at Boston College is just the latest example of a seeing a chance at a needed marquee win slip through a team's hands.

The Eagles (9-2) are not predicted to fare well in the Atlantic Coast Conference, but they are a team that is off to a solid start, and will face one of the better schedules in the East. PC dropped similar games against Baylor and St. Mary's at the Anaheim Classic. BC and St. Mary's are both current top-30 teams in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI).

The Friars' fourth loss came in the season-opener to a Northeastern team that is off to an inconsistent (5-4) start.

"We've had a lot of tests this year,'' coach Keno Davis said. "We've had a very tough schedule, with games out in California against Baylor and St. Mary's, who I think are both Top 25 teams. Our game with URI is always as tough as you ever want. And, of course, we lost to Northeastern in our opener, so we've had enough tough contests. I wish we had some easier ones coming up, but you don't get that in the Big East.''

PC's final nonleague game is tomorrow against Bryant. The Big East schedule begins Dec. 31 with a home date against St. John's.

"We need to play as hard as we did in those last 20 minutes to have a chance to win,'' he said. "That's what this team, hopefully, learned in the nonconference (games).''

Not at his best

Pawtucket native Rakim Sanders fell into quick foul trouble and didn't have his best game yesterday. The BC guard finished with seven points, on 3-for-7 shooting. Sanders has struggled with his shot all season, and had a season-high game of 19 points against Bryant on Dec. 10.

Sanders also struggled in his first game against Providence last season. The shooter fell into quick foul trouble and played just 23 minutes before fouling out with seven points, on 3-for-8 shooting.

Sanders and PC senior Jeff Xavier have known each other for most of their lives from the basketball gyms and leagues of Pawtucket. Xavier said he was looking forward to beating his pal.

"I knew a lot of PC fans would be there,'' said Xavier. "I was really excited about this game, especially playing against Rakim. We're only 45 minutes away (from BC). It's like a PC-URI (rivalry) atmosphere a little bit. BC is a tough team, an ACC team. It would've been a huge win for us, but we just couldn't come out with the win.''

Rising to the occasion

Much of the pregame chatter centered on the role of BC guard Tyrese Rice in what has been a contentious senior season. Rice was suspended for the first game of the season due to an unspecified violation of team rules, and while the preseason All-ACC guard has enjoyed some superb games, he has not found the groove that makes him one of the top point-guard prospects in the country.

Rice's low may have come in BC's 67-55 win over South Carolina-Upstate. In 25 minutes, Rice took only four shots and missed them all. The only other time in his career he failed to score came against Duke in his freshman season.

Coach Al Skinner was convinced that Rice would elevate his game against better competition, and he certainly did yesterday against the Friars. Rice led all scorers with 20 points, and while he didn't shoot that well (6-for-15), he did make several big shots and passed off for six assists.

Double dribbles

The Friars and Eagles have two years to play on a contract that calls for the Eagles to come to Providence next December and for PC to return to The Heights in the 2010-11 season … The attendance yesterday of 6,880 was the largest of the season for BC at home, and was certainly hindered by the storm that dumped nearly a foot of snow on the BC campus.

kmcnamar@projo.com