Final Score: Boston College 66, Pitt 57
Despite getting everything it could handle from the Pittsburgh Panthers, the Boston College Eagles were able to survive an upset bid and defend their home floor in ACC play. Despite 15 turnovers and Ky Bowman not scoring for the first eight minutes of the second half, the Eagles hit enough shots and got enough stops to come away with its third ACC win.
Jared Hamilton, Jairus Hamilton, and Chris Herren all hit big shots down the stretch in a game when Jordan Chatman barely played in the second half, Nik Popovic was held out, and Wynston Tabbs again sat out. Jairus Hamilton finished with 11 points on only five shots, and Jared Hamilton and Chris Herren hit back to back threes in the final five minutes of regulation, when BC finished the game on a 9-1 run. Steffon Mitchell had one of his best games of the season, registering a career high five blocks and making a handful of other crucial plays down the stretch. After Bowman hit a midrange jumper for his first points of the second half, Mitchell chased down a loose rebound, got on the floor, and pitched it to Ky, who got a fastbreak layup to get going in the second half.
This has been a disappointing season for Jim Christian, but it is encouraging to see the role players step up, especially the young ones. Assuming Ky returns to campus for his senior season, BC should be deep and talented, ready to make a run in the ACC towards the NCAA tournament, for the first time in over a decade. There are positives to look for.