Boston College loses a heartbreaker 79-78 to Miami

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Boston College loses a heartbreaker 79-78 to Miami

With 6:16 left in the ballgame, the Boston College Eagles had their game in Miami under control. They had a 14 point lead and were poised to get their second conference win on the road. However, the Hurricanes had other ideas and they would outscore the Eagles 23-9 over those last six minutes plus of game time. The final dagger was delivered by Lonnie Walker IV, who with 2.3 seconds left in the contest, nailed a desperation three-ball to give the Hurricanes a 79-78 win over Boston College.

For the Eagles, this one will be hard to explain. Up by double-digits on the road, with a chance to improve your resume and with postseason hopes still in play. It has been a recurring nightmare for this team and program, the inability to finish games, especially on the road.

In the first half, before the first media timeout, the game had four lead changes and three ties. The Hurricanes did most of their damage on the offensive glass where they had an early 8-2 advantage on the Eagles.

Miami would stake themselves to a five-point lead at 25-20 thanks in large part to a stretch of making six of eight shots. The Eagles would stay in the game because of the offense being provided by Jerome Robinson, 14 first-half points on his way to a 30-point afternoon and Nik Popovic who had 12 first-half points and he would finish the game with 17.

The Eagles defense, which lately has been a sore spot for head coach Jim Christian, was playing better as the half went along. They would hold Miami scoreless for a period of 2:30 late in the first half. It gave the offense a chance to not only stay in the game but take the lead late.

The Eagles would finish the first half on a 6-0 run to take a two-point lead of 41-39 with them to the locker room. Two Ky Bowman baskets (he had 15 points before fouling out late in the game) were followed by a Robinson bucket. Boston College was a perfect 10-0 when leading at the half. Things were looking good for the visitors in Coral Gables.

Boston College picked up right where they left off at halftime when another 6-0 run gave them a five-point lead at 48-43. The defense was still playing well holding the Hurricanes scoreless for 3:20. An 8-0 burst would give the Eagles their first double-digit lead of the game at 56-46 halfway through the second half.

Miami went 4:32 without hitting a field goal which enabled BC to take their biggest lead of the game at 67-53 on a Jordan Chatman (11 points) hoop. With 6:16 left in the game, BC was looking good. Then the comeback began with a 7-0 Miami burst got them to within seven at 69-61. BC went cold for a time of 2:16, and another small Hurricanes spurt of 5-2. All five points were scored by Chris Lyles who came off the bench drop 15 on the Eagles. It was 73-67 Boston College.

A close call for the #BCEagles, but ultimately Miami takes it, 79-78, behind Jerome Robinson's 30 points.

RECAP: https://t.co/FeTh93YNVF

— Boston College Men's Basketball (@BCMBB) February 24, 2018

Anthony Lawrence knocked down three-ball with 88 seconds left to bring Miami to within five at 75-70. Lawrence finished with 13. Lyles would hit two free throws to make it a one-point game at 77-76 with under 30 seconds to play. After that, the Eagles would make only one of two at the free throw line. They missed 11 for the game. Miami would call a timeout to set up their next possession with the score 78-76 Boston College.

Miami would milk the clock, and with a possession that looked like it was going nowhere. Then, Lonnie Walker heaved a three-point bomb that found the net with the help of the backboard. Miami now had the lead at 79-78 with 2.3 seconds left. Boston College, which had not hit a field goal in the last 2:52, had one last shot. But, the inbounds pass got away and so did the game.

Final score: Miami 79 Boston College 78.

Miami also got 16 points from Damon Huell and improved to 20-8 overall. While Boston College dropped to 16-13.

The final home game for the Eagles comes up on Wednesday night vs Syracuse.