Another back-and-forth battle slips away In final minutes
Boston College entered Saturday’s matchup against Miami looking to reset after a road loss at Duke and begin their homestand with a win but fell to the Hurricanes 74-68. The Eagles had defended Conte Forum well this season and had leaned on disciplined defense, ball security, and timely late-game execution in recent home wins. Miami arrived with a primary scoring option capable of dictating pace and shot selection, setting up what was ultimately a hard-fought matchup.
The opening minutes reflected the balance both teams brought to the afternoon. Miami struck first with an early push before Boston College answered with a quick run to seize its first lead. The Hurricanes relied on interior scoring to steady themselves, while the Eagles countered by spreading the floor and moving the ball cleanly. Boston College stayed within reach at each media break, avoiding mistakes and limiting turnovers.
As the half wore on, Miami briefly created separation, but Fred Payne provided a spark when the Eagles needed it most. His scoring stretch trimmed a growing deficit and restored momentum. Donald Hand Jr. added timely buckets late in the half, helping Boston College erase ground before the break. Miami carried a narrow one-point edge into halftime, a reflection of how evenly contested the first twenty minutes had been.
Boston College opened the second half trying to get a sustained run going. Hand Jr. connected from deep to keep the Eagles close, but Miami responded with a seven-point burst that pushed their lead to double digits. A brief scoring drought stalled Boston College’s rhythm before Caleb Steger came off the bench and delivered instant offense from the perimeter.
The Eagles continued to chip away. Hand Jr. knocked down another three, Payne finished in transition, and the deficit shrank to a single possession with just over six minutes remaining. Miami answered each surge with poise, leaning on physical finishes and timely conversions to keep Boston College from fully flipping the game.
Down the stretch, the Hurricanes made the decisive plays. Boston College stayed aggressive and found a late three from Payne to remain within striking distance, but Miami sealed the outcome with a strong finish at the rim in the final minute. The Eagles’ effort never wavered, yet the final stops and shots favored the visitors. Hurricanes forward Malik Reneau led all scorers with 23 points, while Hand Jr. led BC with 20.
Boston College will continue its homestand on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET matchup against Stanford, the second game of a three-game homestand.
Category: General Sports
