Box Score

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Boston College (6-3) built a 14-point halftime lead and withstood a spirited effort from visiting Binghamton men's basketball (1-11), 63-49 Sunday afternoon at Conte Forum. It was the first-ever meeting between the Bearcats and the ACC-member Eagles and the game was broadcast on ESPN3.

After a four-point play from freshman guard Romello Walker, BU was within 13, 40-27, four minutes into the second half. The Bearcats battled on the defensive end throughout the second half and pulled to within 12, 53-41, with 5:19 left on a baseline jumper from freshman forward Wiliie Rodriguez. A three-point play by freshman wing Justin McFadden brought BU back to within 12, 60-48, with 1:52 left. But the Eagles did enough down the stretch to secure the win.

"We hung in and stood in the center of the ring today," head coach Tommy Dempsey said. "We were one 7-0 run away from being right there. We're struggling to score but through some scoring woes, we fought on every possession and that gave us a chance to stay in the game. There were a lot of positives today. We're just a little off offensively but if we can defend like we did today, I think we'll be okay."

McFadden contributed a team-high 17 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Walker added nine points.

"Justin played tough," Dempsey said. "He rebounded well and got himself to the free throw line."

Freshman forward Bobby Ahearn and first-year center Dusan Perovic spearheaded the defense. Ahearn played 21 hard minutes in the post against BC's big bodies and collected four points, two rebounds and two steals. Perovic, meanwhile, absorbed four charges and chipped in five points and four rebounds.  
  
Boston College hit 7-of-10 shots to start the game and built an 18-7 lead eight minutes in. Buckets by McFadden and sophomore guard Yosef Yacob made it 18-11 and BU's active defense forced six BC turnovers in the first 11 minutes to keep the game close. But turnovers and missed shots started to creep in for the Bearcats, who suffered a five-minute dry spell and hit just 3-of-17 to end the half. The Eagles closed out the period on a 14-7 run to take a 32-18 cushion into intermission.   

The Bearcats outrebounded their ACC hosts in the opening half but 12 turnovers led to 16 BC points (10 on fast break). McFadden had a strong half with six points, seven rebounds and two blocks, including a stuff of BC's seven-foot center at the rim.

Binghamton returns home to host St. Bonaventure on Saturday afternoon at the Events Center.

NOTES
The Eagles are the second ACC team on BU's schedule this season. Notre Dame was the other … The ESPN3 appearance was Binghamton's fifth national showing, with at least two more games still to come … Binghamton is the youngest team in the entire nation, according to data from StatSheet.com. The Bearcats' 14 roster members have a combined 10 years of collegiate experience.