Boston College Secures Overtime Victory Against Syracuse
In a thrilling college basketball matchup on Saturday, Boston College rallied from behind to secure an 81-73 overtime victory against Syracuse, marking their inaugural win this season in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Fred Payne showcased an impressive performance, scoring 26 points while contributing six assists and three steals, helping the Eagles (8-10, 1-4 ACC) break out of a four-game conference slump.
Game Highlights
The game began with Syracuse (12-6, 3-2) taking an early advantage, leading 17-11 after limiting Boston College to just 29% shooting in the first ten minutes. Despite making eight turnovers by halftime, Syracuse maintained a five-point lead at 33-28. However, as the second half unfolded, the momentum shifted.
In a nail-biting finish, Syracuse was poised to win, leading 64-60 with just over a minute left in regulation. But after Donnie Freeman missed a crucial free throw, Donald Hand Jr. stepped up to drain a long-range three-pointer with only seven seconds remaining, forcing the game into overtime.
Overtime Surge
The Eagles quickly seized control in the extra period. Aidan Shaw kicked things off with a dunk, followed by Chase Forte converting a driving layup. Jayden Hastings then capped a 6-2 scoring surge with an alley-oop dunk, extending the lead to 70-66 with 2:43 left on the clock. Boston College solidified their lead by converting seven of eight free throw attempts in the closing seconds.
Syracuse’s Efforts
On the opposing side, Nate Kingz put forth a career-best performance for Syracuse, scoring 27 points, while Freeman added a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Orange struggled with ball control, committing a total of 18 turnovers throughout the game.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Syracuse will face Virginia Tech this Wednesday, while Boston College is set to host Pittsburgh in their next game.
