Claudell Harris Jr. scored 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting Tuesday as Boston College defeated Syracuse 80-75 at Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Devin McGlockton and Jaeden Zackery chipped in 15 points apiece for the Eagles (13-8, 4-6 Atlantic Coast Conference), who have won back-to-back games for the first time this calendar year. Quinten Post chipped in nine points and 12 rebounds for Boston College but also committed seven of the team’s 21 turnovers.
The Orange (14-7, 5-5) could not sweep the season series from the Eagles despite getting 18 points apiece from Judah Mintz and JJ Starling and 15 from Maliq Brown.
With under eight minutes remaining, Boston College was clinging to a 56-53 lead before Harris erupted for 14 points in the next four minutes.
He began the outburst with 3-pointers on consecutive trips, then converted a layup after a Syracuse turnover. Mintz missed two free throws on the other end, and Harris made him pay by draining another triple for a 67-55 edge.
Shortly thereafter, Harris’ fourth 3-pointer of the half made it 72-59.
Syracuse chipped away down the stretch, using 3-pointers from Starling, Mintz and Benny Williams to get within 78-72 with 1:15 to go. Starling made another 3-pointer in the waning seconds, but it was too little, too late.
After scoring just 59 points on 38.7 percent shooting in the first matchup with Syracuse earlier this month, the Eagles shot 58.3 percent in the first half Tuesday.
Boston College trailed 30-23 with just over four minutes left in the half before closing the period on a 14-0 run.
Long-range shots by Mason Madsen and Chas Kelley III bookended a dunk by McGlockton to begin the surge. Madsen and McGlockton then each made 2 of 2 free throws before McGlockton’s layup made it 37-30 in favor of the hosts.
In the second half, Boston College picked up right where it left off before intermission. The Eagles made their first six shots and opened a 51-39 lead with about 15 minutes remaining.
However, the Orange suddenly caught fire, making 10 consecutive shots, including four by Brown, to eventually get within 55-53 before Harris took over down the stretch.
–Field Level Media