Boston College hosts The Citadel, eyes bounce back from opening loss

Defending the 3-point line will likely be a priority for Boston College when it plays its home opener Thursday against The Citadel.

The Bulldogs (1-0) attempted 59 3-point shots and made 21 during a season-opening 105-61 victory over Division-II Erskine on Monday. Ten players made at least one 3-pointer in the win.

“I like the way we were sharing the basketball,” Citadel coach Ed Conroy said. “Some of our decisions early, we got too deep in the paint, but I liked the way we shared it and obviously, we stepped up and knocked down some threes. Gotta clean it up on the defensive end a little bit, though.

“If we can keep sharing the ball, this team will keep improving. They’ll keep playing together and it’ll be a fun group to coach.”

Sola Adebisi led the way for The Citadel with 15 points, five rebounds and five steals. Keynan Davis and Logan Applegate each tossed in 11 points.

Boston College (0-1) opened the season with an 83-78 overtime loss at Florida Atlantic on Monday. Florida Atlantic was 17-of-43 on 2-point field goal attempts and 13-of-25 from the free throw line, but made 12 of its 24 3-point shots.

Boston College led by nine with less than five minutes to play and was up 66-63 with 46 seconds remaining in regulation, but the Owls hit a late 3-pointer that sent the game to overtime.

“Brand new year, brand new team,” Boston College coach Earl Grant said. “It’s the first game we played this year. Can’t really look in the rearview mirror – I look forward. We’ll get back to Boston and figure out how we can correct some of the mistakes we made.”

Boston College outrebounded Florida Atlantic 52-38, but committed 14 turnovers. The Eagles missed 12 of their 24 free-throw attempts.

Donald Hand Jr. led the Eagles with 20 points in the loss. Junior Boden Kapke came off the bench to score 17 (three 3-pointers) and Chase Forte added 14.

–Field Level Media