UPDATE: The Boston College Men’s Basketball team suffered a crushing defeat against the LSU Tigers, losing 78-69 in overtime at the Conte Forum on November 29, 2023. This latest setback marks BC’s third overtime loss this season, raising urgent questions about the team’s ability to close out games.
Despite staging a remarkable comeback from a 14-point deficit to take a five-point lead in the second half, the Eagles faltered in critical moments. Missed opportunities allowed LSU to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation, setting the stage for a tense overtime period.
In the extra session, the Eagles struggled offensively, failing to make a single shot, while the Tigers capitalized by going 10-10 from the free-throw line and shooting 3-3 from the field. “We put ourselves in a position to win. We came up short in the end. It’s disappointing to our players,” said BC coach Earl Grant.
The game was part of the third annual ACC/SEC challenge, featuring an undefeated LSU squad. The Eagles demonstrated grit throughout, with standout performances from Luka Toews, who scored a season-high 14 points, and Caleb Strager, who set a career-high of 11 points.
The first half was a struggle for both teams, with BC trailing 37-26 at halftime. The Tigers, led by Dedan Thomas Jr., who scored 23 points and dished out seven assists, dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Eagles 46-41.
Despite their challenges, the Eagles fought back, igniting a 12-0 run in the second half, led by Toews. “He always gives a spark off the bench,” noted teammate Fred Payne. However, BC couldn’t maintain their momentum, missing critical shots that could have sealed the victory.
In overtime, the team’s fortunes reversed dramatically. After shooting 50 percent from three-point range in the second half, the Eagles went 0-8 from the field in overtime. “We need to focus on the little things,” Toews emphasized.
Coach Grant expressed disappointment but remained hopeful. “We have a good enough team to do it. It’s called adversity,” he stated. The Eagles will look to bounce back against New Haven on December 2, 2023 at noon, as they aim to regain their footing in this challenging season.
Stay tuned for further updates as Boston College seeks to turn their fortunes around.