UPDATE: Boston College Men’s Basketball suffered a heartbreaking defeat against LSU, losing 78-69 in overtime during a thrilling game at the Conte Forum on December 6, 2023. This marks BC’s third overtime loss of the season, underscoring their struggles in clutch situations.
The Eagles, who fought back from a 14-point deficit to take a five-point lead in the second half, were unable to seal the victory. Missed opportunities in the final minute allowed LSU to tie the game, forcing an overtime period where the Eagles struggled offensively, going 0-8 from the field.
“We put ourselves in a position to win. We came up short in the end. It’s disappointing to our players,” said BC head coach Earl Grant. “We played BC basketball today.” The Eagles faced off against an undefeated LSU team, who improved to 8-0 with this victory.
Early in the game, both teams struggled offensively, but LSU broke the game open late in the first half. With 37-26 at halftime, the Tigers capitalized on their height advantage, dominating the paint with a 40-22 score inside. Dedan Thomas Jr. led the Tigers with 23 points and seven assists.
In the second half, BC’s Luka Toews ignited a comeback, scoring seven points during a pivotal 12-0 run, tying the game at 45-45. “He always gives a spark off the bench,” said teammate Fred Payne. Toews finished with a season-high 14 points, while Caleb Strager achieved a career-high of 11 points.
Despite their efforts, BC couldn’t maintain momentum. They took a lead of 56-51 with five minutes remaining, but missed critical free throws that could have extended the gap. LSU capitalized on these errors, tying the game in the final moments.
Overtime saw LSU shoot flawlessly, going 3-3 from the field and hitting all 10 free throws, while BC could not find the basket. “We need to focus on the little things,” Toews emphasized, reflecting on their performance.
The loss is a tough blow for the Eagles, who have shown resilience but continue to struggle in late-game scenarios. Coach Grant noted the importance of learning from adversity: “We got to keep working at closing games. We have a good enough team to do it.”
Boston College will look to bounce back this Saturday when they host New Haven at noon. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how the Eagles respond after this challenging defeat.
