Eagles Fall 79-78 in overtime to Hartford

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CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Despite a 44-point/10-rebound/five-steal performance from Ky Bowman, Boston College lost, 79-78 in overtime, at home to Hartford. It was the Eagles’ final regular-season non-conference game of the season.

BC fell behind by as many as 10 points in the first half – trailing 27-17 with 8:30 remaining in the opening frame. But BC would close the half on a 13-5 push, capped by a Chris Herren Jr. 3-pointer with 24 seconds left, making it 33-30 at the break. Hartford would make close to 60% of its field goal attempts through the first 13 minutes of play, but cooled off down the stretch, making just 2-of-8 to finish the first half.

In the second half, BC took a 35-33 lead with 18:17 left in regulation, after two Ky Bowman free throws. But the Hawks responded with an 8-2 push, regaining a six-point lead just over two minutes later. Bowman keyed an 8-2 BC run, scoring four points during the stretch, as the score was knotted at 47-47 with 12:31 to play.

The two teams traded baskets for the next six minutes before Hartford’s layup with 6:22 left in the half gave it a 57-52 advantage. BC regained the lead, after a traditional 3-point play from Nik Popovic, a jumper from Jairus Hamilton, and a 3-pointer from Chris Herren Jr. cut it to one – 61-60 – with 4:27 left. Two free throws from Hamilton with 3:48 to play made it 62-61.

With 8.3 seconds left, Bowman made 1-of-2 from the foul line, putting BC up 67-64. The Eagles fouled on the ensuing possession and Hartford made both free throws. The Hawks again put Bowman on the line with 8.3 left and the lead returned to three – 69-66. The Eagles again attempted to foul up three but committed the act while a Hartford shooter was beyond the arc. The Hawks tied it up and the final FG attempt in regulation was off the mark, setting up overtime.

Bowman drained a 3-pointer to start OT and after both teams swapped buckets on their next two possessions, BC led 74-71 with 3:53 to go. But Hartford would outscore the Eagles, 8-1, down the stretch before a Bowman trey at the buzzer made it 79-78.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

Ky Bowman finished with a career-high 44 points. The Nation’s Most Dynamic Guard was 14-of-23 from the floor, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. He made 11-of-14 from the charity stripe. Bowman also had 10 rebounds, five steals two blocked shots, and three assists (seven turnovers) in 45 minutes.
The 44 points ranked as the sixth-highest single-game scoring performance in Boston College history and are the most since Jerome Robinson’s 46 points at Notre Dame on Feb. 6, 2018.
The 44 points were the second-most by a BC player in Conte Forum history, bested only by Tyrese Rice’s 46 points vs. North Carolina on March 1, 2008.
Bowman’s 14 made field goals tied for the second-most in a game by a BC player, trailing Robinson’s 15 from last season’s game at Notre Dame.
His double-double in points and rebounds marks the only time this season a player has scored at least 44 points and grabbed at least 10 rebounds. It’s the first 44/10 game nationally since Peyton Aldridge of Davidson had 45 and 12 at St. Bonaventure.
Nik Popovic ended the game with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Popovic scored seven of BC’s first nine points to start the game. He added two blocks before fouling out in 37 minutes.
It marked the third time this season that Bowman and Popovic each tallied a double-double in the same game.
Jairus Hamilton pulled down a season-best 10 boards in 37 minutes of action. He added four points and a blocked shot.
Chris Herren Jr. had eight points, four rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot in 38 minutes.
Jordan Chatman returned to the BC lineup after missing the last three games and dished out four assists.
Wynston Tabbs scored two points in just 8:50 of play before missing the remainder of the game with an injury.
BC shot 45.8% (27-59) from the floor, including 8-of-23 from the perimeter and 16-of-22 from the foul line.

STAT OF THE GAME:
22 – The Eagles gave up 22 points on a season-high 19 turnovers.

FOR THE ANALYTICS CROWD:
Bowman became the first BC player to crack the 40 barrier in efficiency rating, registering a 45. Efficiency rating is calculated using the following formula: (PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK – Missed Shots – TO). Bowman recorded a 45 despite a season-high seven turnovers.

UP NEXT:
BC will travel to Blacksburg, Va. to open Atlantic Coast Conference play at Virginia Tech on Saturday, Jan. 5. Tipoff versus the Hokies is set for noon and the game can be seen on regional sports networks nationwide, including on NESN locally. Josh Maurer and Kevin Collins have the call live on the BC IMG Sports Network on WEEI 850 AM, beginning at 11:45 am.