Enhanced Box Score

BC executed efficiently on both ends of the court in the first half. Boston College took command of the game halfway through the first half. With the score noted at 17, Tyrese Rice scored 5 points in a row, and after a Wolfpack layup, freshman Dallas Elmore hit a three pointer to put BC up 25-19. It was Elmore’s only basket of the game. BC was able to amass a double-digit lead in part due to a strong defensive half, particularly in the post, and great fundamental rebounding. The Eagles crashed the offensive glass hard and out hustled NC State for the ball. The team managed to grab a total of 22 offensive boards in the game which allowed for several second chance baskets. With the clock winding down in the first half, Reggie Jackson put up an errant three-point attempt, however Joe Trapani was there to grab the board and get the put back before time expired. Boston College led by fifteen at the half, 42-27.

Rakim Sanders nailed a three coming out of the blocks in the second half to stretch BC’s lead to a game high 18 points. North Carolina State then proceeded to make a furious comeback, scoring 16 straight points at one stretch, bringing North Carolina State to within 3 points at 47-44. Tyrese Rice was finally able to stop the bleeding when he swished an open three to make the score 50-44. After North Carolina State answered with a three pointer of their own, Reggie Jackson brought the crowd to their feet with a one-handed slam in transition.

When North Carolina State closed the lead to 3 points at 56-53 with 7 minutes remaining, BC countered by sinking 6 consecutive free throws. The nail in the coffin occurred with 4 minutes left when Rice found a wide-open Joe Trapani for three, which put BC up 67-58. Corey Raji capped off the win with a thunderous fast break slam with 1 minute left in the game.

Corey Raji played one of the best individual defensive efforts we have seen all year. He managed to hold North Carolina State’s Brandon Costner, who averages 15 a game, to just 6 points. Raji also hauled in a game high 12 rebounds, including 6 offensive boards in the winning effort. His performance in the paint, combined with Trapani’s 10 rebounds and Southern’s 7 were the main factor behind BC’s 46-25 rebounding edge in the contest.

Tyrese Rice was the offensive star in this game. He had his entire repertoire working in this game; he hit threes and outside jumpers, and also finished with his patented runner in the lane. Rice made several jaw dropping circus shots around NC State’s big bodies down low. Rice took control when BC’s lead was slipping and he stepped up in a big way.

Rice also got help from Joe Trapani and Rakim Sanders, both of whom have come on strong of late. They each added 12 points, and Trapani notched his 6th double-double of the season. Reggie Jackson contributed 10 points as well. BC continued their hot free throw shooting as a team, going 16-19 in the game, which included a perfect 10-10 down the stretch.