NC State 56, BC 51: Eagles Fall Short Against Wolfpack

Unlike in the previous few games, there was no collapse on the part of Boston College, but there was no win, either.

On Wednesday night, the North Carolina State Wolfpack defeated the Boston College Eagles men’s basketball team, 56-51, at Conte Forum. The defeat marks a season-worst fifth loss in a row for the Eagles, and drops them to 7-15 (2-6).

Right from the start, BC was in this game, getting quick points from Matt Humphrey (who ended up being the team’s leading scorer with 15) and playing some defense. The game moved at a slow pace throughout, with NC State not able to get all the breakaway transition opportunities that they were afforded in the first matchup. Boston College ran the shot clock down a number of times, grinding out possessions and getting the tempo to one conducive to a close, low-scoring game.

Keep it close the Eagles did. NC State was never able to go on any extended runs, but neither could BC. Occasionally, they would tie or retake the lead, but otherwise the home team Eagles closely trailed for much of the game. Boston College did little or no scoring once again at the end, but the Wolfpack were not able to run away and hide as Virginia and Miami had.

The turnover and rebounding situation was much better in this game than the first time these two teams played, with BC decreasing their turnovers from 17 to 11 and actually outrebounding NC State this time, 29-27, after having gotten badly outdone on the boards in game one.

One guy noteworthy for praise once again is Gabe Moton, who played 17 minutes off the bench, scored some points, and was doing his best to lead the team on the court. He may or may not develop into a solid, reliable player over the course of his four years, but he isn’t doing badly and manages to contribute. A few other players, like Humphrey, Ryan Anderson, and Lonnie Jackson, had respectable evenings as well. There are certainly pieces here upon which to build.

Unfortunately, respectable was not good enough tonight, and BC fell again. This was a decent effort by the Eagles, and is perhaps the kind of game that with another year of seasoning and strength they might have won. Eagles fans should not feel too badly about this loss. What Eagles fans should feel bad about is the fact that one student section reportedly had fewer than ten BC students, but that is a discussion for another time.

Boston College’s next game is on Saturday afternoon at Georgia Tech, which should be a very winnable game.