Boston College 70, Holy Cross 60: Eagles Run Win Streak to Four

When Boston College got a meaningful win against Florida State last year, the freshmen could not follow it up with a win, or almost any wins at all. BC defeated Providence last week in another victory of significance, but the sophomores kept the momentum going this time.

On Saturday afternoon at Conte Forum, Boston College defeated the Holy Cross Crusaders, 70-60. The win brings the Eagles up to 7-5 and gives them their fourth win in a row — the first time that the 2011 recruiting class core has had a win streak of this length. It is also the first time that they have gone more than one game over .500 during a season, and BC has now guaranteed themselves a winning record in non-conference play this year.

The starts of both halves were curiously quiet for Boston College, as the Eagles were offensively lacking. BC had eight points in the first eight minutes of the game, but thanks in large part to the three-pointer and Holy Cross’s inability to get to the free throw line, the Eagles were able to bust through and take a five-point lead into the half. The Crusaders showed a little fight out of halftime, but BC took it from there. Boston College led the game by as many as 17 in the second half, ultimately winning by ten.

The three-point shot was especially critical for both teams, but for different reasons for each. Boston College made 10 of 24 attempts from beyond the arc against a Holy Cross team that had previously been one of the best teams in the nation at stopping that shot. Meanwhile, Holy Cross connected only twice on nineteen long-distance attempts, doing far more damage from inside the arc as opposed to outside.

Patrick Heckmann had a standout game for the Eagles, playing well on both ends of the floor. Heckmann went 5-of-7 from beyond the arc and totaled 19 points, also forcing five turnovers via steals. He gave Boston College 36 quality minutes.

Ryan Anderson posted a double-double as he managed 18 points and ten rebounds, connecting on three slam dunks in the second half as part of 35 sold minutes of play. Olivier Hanlan and Joe Rahon, the two freshman guards, also played well with 14 and 9 points, respectively. Both were responsible for some nice passes and cuts to the basket as well, showing off their talent and high basketball IQs.

After a nice win such as the Providence game, the last thing BC needed to do was lose to a Patriot League team. They did not, and therefore did not hand back any of the momentum they picked up last week. The Eagles will have a chance to ride a five-game win streak into ACC play if they win their 2012 finale against Dartmouth on New Year’s Eve.