BC Crushes Syracuse, Ends 20-Game ACC Losing Streak
BOSTON (AP) — Ky Bowman scored 30 points, Jerome Robinson had 22 and Boston College halted a 20-game Atlantic Coast Conference losing streak with a 96-81 win over Syracuse Sunday in the league opener for both schools.
A.J. Turner added 16 points and Nik Popovic 11 for Eagles (8-6), who went 0-18 last season in league play before losing their one game in the tournament. It was their first conference win since a 66-65 victory over Georgia Tech in the 2015 ACC tourney.
Andrew White III led the Orange (8-6) with 22 points. Tyler Lydon had 17 points and 12 rebounds, Taurean Thompson scored 14 and Tyler Roberson added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
BC pushed its 11-point halftime lead to 67-46 on Jordan Chatman's 3-pointer from the right corner 6 ½ minutes into the second half.
In a strange scene for a home team, the Eagles quieted a crowd that had about 70 percent of them rooting for Syracuse — with many dressed in orange.
Unlike last year, when the partisan Syracuse crowd broke into chants of 'Let's Go Orange!' many times during the second half, there was hardly a loud cheer for the visitors.
SU was down by 17 or more until the final minute.
BIG PICTURE
Syracuse: Judging by the start, it could be a tough year for the Orange. They lost by 33 at home against St. John's two games ago and looked confused offensively on a number of possessions Sunday. In addition, BC seemed to find holes against their 2-3 zone.
Boston College: For a team that went winless in league play last year, it had to be a big motivational boost. With Bowman emerging to join Robinson as a scorer, it looks like the Eagles have two legitimate scorers — something that's needed in a tough conference.
HOW ABOUT THAT
Bowman had a highlight play late in the first half.
He got a rebound of his own miss while lying on his back near the base line, looked up and fed Popovic in the lane for a layup.
OOPS
SU had a few woeful plays, but the worst may have been late in the first half when Lydon was attempting to grab a rebound and tipped it in for a basket for BC. Popovich was credited with the bucket.
UP NEXT
Syracuse: Host Miami on Wednesday in the first of two straight at the Carrier Dome.
Boston College: At Wake Forest on Tuesday to open a two-game road trip.