BC Men Win In OT Over Richmond To Stay Hot

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Written By Lucas Johnson of Nuts and Bolts Sports

With it being the holiday season, Conte Forum was quiet today as the BC Eagles took on the Richmond Spiders. That didn’t change how the Eagles came out to play. They came out with the same energy that has led them to four straight victories; over Hartford, Columbia, Central Connecticut, and of course Duke two weeks ago.

👀 today's starters vs. Richmond: pic.twitter.com/MKSalxQ7bc

— Boston College Men's Basketball (@BCMBB) December 23, 2017

On top of the ACC, sitting at 9-3, BC was ready to take on the 2-9 Spiders. With BC being a three-point shooting team, it seemed to be a mismatch right out of the gate for Richmond, who has allowed threes at a 40% clip so far this year.

The BC offense, which usually runs through guards Ky Bowman, a sophomore, and Jerome Robinson, a junior, did just that. They got Robinson and Bowman a lot of touches near the top of the key to start the game while creating space for Jordan Chatman on the wing. Chatman took advantage of that space, hitting four three-pointers and scoring 16 of his 30 total points in the first half.

BC played a lot of freshman in the early goings, and it paid off. Steffon Mitchell, Vin Baker Jr., and Luka Kraljevic all gave valuable minutes to the Eagles, including a big three-pointer from the Slovenian, Kraljevic to stretch the lead early. Despite the fact that BC was in complete control of the game, they only led 39-33 at the half.

The second half would start similarly to the first, though. Jordan Chatman got an open look from the corner on the Eagles first possession of the half and knocked down the three. Grant Golden of Richmond wouldn’t let the spiders die, though. The freshman forward who had nine points in the first half would help pull the Spiders within five of the Eagles halfway through the second half. Richmond would continue to chip away and eventually take a two-point lead of their own with 3:07 left. The two sides would go back and forth and eventually go to overtime as the rookie, Steffon Mitchell would miss the three as time expired in regulation.

In overtime, the Eagles’ three starting guards took over the game. Jerome Robinson, Ky Bowman, and Jordan Chatman were too much for Richmond to handle. Meanwhile, on the defensive end, BC did an excellent job of running Richmond off of the three-point line. Richmond needed a three, and BC wouldn’t let them have it. The real dagger came with 54 seconds left. Ky Bowman got 6’10” Grant Golden switched onto him, and he made Golden pay with a three right in his face to give BC the 76-71 lead. The Eagles would go on to win 78-73.

Riding on a five-game win streak, the Eagles prepare to play #13 Virgina on the 30th with the hopes of staying on top of the ACC.