Georgia Tech 73, Boston College 70: Eagles’ Season Ends in Overtime Loss

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

It began with a loss, and it ended with a loss.

In Wednesday’s late-game ACC Tournament action, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defeated the Boston College Eagles, 73-70 in overtime. The loss ends the Eagles’ season at 8-24, the most losses they have accumulated in a single season in program history. Notably, Georgia Tech also pulled off a somewhat rare three-game season sweep of the Eagles in 2013-14.

Boston College and the Yellow Jackets traded leads early, but Georgia Tech would go on to take a modest 29-25 lead at the half. In the second, during some lethargic stretches of basketball by the maroon and gold, the Eagles trailed by as many as 13 with just over eight minutes left in regulation.

The Eagles were able to take advantage of a cruising Yellow Jackets team and actually find some nerve, pushing their opponents all the way down to a tie. Georgia Tech never got off a shot in their final possession and overtime resulted.

In fact, over the last 10:30 of the game, inclusive of overtime’s five minutes, Georgia Tech only made one field goal. Yet, it was still enough as the Eagles missed some critical shots and free throws, while the Yellow Jackets, who looked rattled at times in the latest stages of the game, somehow found a way to win.

Until the final few minutes of regulation, the rebounding situation for Boston College was ugly as the Eagles were being out-hustled on the glass by nearly a 2:1 ratio. Ultimately, Georgia Tech grabbed 40 rebounds to the Eagles’ 30, but on the offensive glass, the Eagles were out-worked by a 12-4 margin. The number of second-chance opportunities and points the Yellow Jackets got contributed greatly to the Eagles’ demise on Wednesday night, though it is a story that has been repeated often for Boston College.

The level of disappointment at Boston College is minimal, as a disastrous season of Eagles basketball has come to a timely and merciful end. Few in Chestnut Hill will miss 2013-14 Eagles hoops.

Now, Boston College basketball fans turn their eyes to the offices at Yawkey Way as the coaching tenure of Steve Donahue is on the brink of ending.