Boston College Athletics
Boston College
Iowa St
Men's Basketball Defeats Iowa State, 86-81
December 11, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Dec 11, 2001
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Junior guard Troy Bell set a Conte Forum scoring record, finishing with 42 points and leading 11th-ranked Boston College to an 86-81 victory over Iowa State before 7,134 fans.
Bell's 42-point effort broke the building's previous record of 39 points, set by former Connecticut star and current Washington Wizards swingman Richard Hamilton on Jan. 6, 1999. Conte Forum opened on Nov. 26, 1988. The outing also marked the first 40-point performance by a BC player since Danya Abrams netted 41 points in an overtime win at Hartford on Dec. 22, 1994.
Bell shot 10-for-17 from the field, including 5-for-8 from three-point range, and 17-for-17 from the foul line. The junior's free-throw effort equaled his own school record. Bell was 17-for-17 from the line against Miami on Jan. 13, 2001.
Boston College (8-0) led 42-35 at halftime and extended its advantage to as many as 15 points -- 60-45 -- with 14:56 to play. The visiting Cyclones battled back and narrowed the BC lead to just five points -- 66-61 -- with 9:15 remaining.
After BC regained its double-digit advantage with a 5-0 run and then traded baskets to maintain its lead, Iowa State used an 8-1 run to close its deficit to just three points -- 77-74 -- with 2:34 to play.
The Cyclones continued to battle, but Bell answered each time. The junior netted the Eagles' last nine points. He recorded an old-fashioned three-point play with 2:09 remaining, sank two free throws with 48.7 seconds remaining, sank two free throws with 10.2 seconds left, and sank two more free throws with 1.0 second left.
Sophomore Ryan Sidney added 16 points for the Eagles, while junior Uka Agbai contributed 11 points. Freshman Nate Doornekamp grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
Senior Tyray Pearson led Iowa State (5-5) 5 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Jake Sullivan added 19 points.
Game Notes: Bell's single-game scoring high comes one game after establishing his previous high (34 points vs. Massachusetts) ... Bell is the first BC player to score 30 or more points in consecutive games since Danya Abrams netted 38 points against Seton Hall and 30 points against Villanova in back-to-back BIG EAST Tournament games on March 9 and 10, 1995 ... Bell's scoring effort is the highest total by a BC player since Dana Barros hit nine three-pointers in a 43-point effort at Pittsburgh on Jan. 7, 1989 ... BC was outrebounded, 36-30 ... BC shot 42.9 percent from the field, while Iowa State shot 58.3 percent. BC attempted 15 more field goals ... BC recorded its 24th consecutive home victory.
