Boston College Basketball: Eagles Race Past USF, 74-60

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Derryck Thornton leads four BC players in double-digits with a game-high 22

TAMPA, Fla. — Boston College used a 16-2 run – including 11 straight points to close out the first half – to earn a convincing 74-60 win at USF.

Derryck Thornton led four BC scorers in double figures, with a game-high 22 points. He was 8-of-15 from the floor (2-5 3FG) to go with four rebounds and four assists. Steffon Mitchell posted another complete stat line, with six points, 13 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and four blocked shots.

The Eagles fell behind by as many as nine points in the first half – 26-17 – with 7:17 left. From there, it was all BC. Trailing 28-23 with 6:05 remaining in the opening half, the Eagles (2-0) closed the half on a 20-4 push, to take a 43-32 lead at the break.

In the second half, the Bulls got within seven after scoring the first two baskets of the period. But a 7-1 BC push, capped by a transition layup from Julian Rishwain, pushed it back to double digits the rest of the way.

BC’s defensive effort proved to be a major factor in the road victory, limiting USF to 36.1% shooting from the floor while forcing 21 turnovers.

Nik Popovic had 15 points, eight boards, and four assists, connecting on 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Newcomers Julian Rishwain (11) and CJ Felder (10) came off the bench to provide a scoring punch as well.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

Steffon Mitchell led BC in rebounding (13), assists (6), and blocked shots (4).
Nik Popovic narrowly missed a double-double, with 15 points and eight rebounds.
Derryck Thornton has reached the 20-point mark in each of his first two games for Boston College.
Julian Rishwain and CJ Felder combined for 21 points and seven boards off the bench. Rishwain made 3-of-6 from the floor and Felder was 3-of-5.
BC connected on 25-of-50 from the floor, good for 50.0% – including 8-of-21 from beyond the arc. The Eagles made 16-of-24 from the foul line.

STAT OF THE GAME:
44.0% – Boston College grabbed 44% of their offensive rebounding chances for the game, including 71.4% in the second half (5-of-7).

FOR THE ANALYTICS CROWD:
Steffon Mitchell posted the highest efficiency mark of the season so far, with a 27. Derryck Thornton (19), Nik Popovic (16), CJ Felder (11), and Julian Rishwain (10) also hit double figures. Efficiency rating is calculated using the following formula: (PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK – Missed Shots – TO)

UP NEXT:
Boston College plays the first of five straight at the friendly confines of Conte Forum on Wednesday, Nov. 13 vs. High Point. The game is the first of four games as part of the Gotham Classic MTE.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game can be seen live on ACC Network Extra.

The game can also be heard live on the Boston College Learfield IMG College Sports Network with Josh Maurer and Danya Abrams.