Boston College
Villanova*
Men's Basketball Loses To Villanova, 92-89
January 14, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Sophomore Craig Smith scored 21 points, freshman Jared Dudley scored 19 points and freshman Steve Hailey added 18 points to lead Boston College in a 92-89 BIG EAST loss to Villanova before 6,053 fans in Conte Forum.
Dudley and Hailey both recorded career-high point totals. Senior Uka Agbai notched 11 points to round out BC's list of double-figure scorers.
Villanova, which led 41-30 at halftime, shot 58.9 percent from the field in the game, including a blistering 70.0 percent from three-point range. The Wildcats hit 14 long-range jumpers, just two shy of the BIG EAST single-game record.
The visitors maintained their advantage early in the second half, before the Eagles used a 14-3 run to close the deficit to just three points -- 53-50 -- with 13:25 remaining on the clock. Smith scored consecutive field goals to cap the BC rally.
The difference remained the same until Villanova sank seven of its next eight field goals from three-point range to extend the margin. While the Wildcats hit from long range, BC answered with three two-point field goals and three free throws. Villanova led by 17 points -- 80-63 -- with 5:46 to play.
BC, playing the final 6:16 without Smith (who picked up his fifth foul), made a final surge. Led by Hailey and Dudley, the Eagles narrowed the margin to nine points with 4:47 to play and to just five points with 3:32 remaining. The home team got as close as three points on a Hailey three-pointer with 10.9 seconds remaining.
Villanova shot 6-for-6 from the foul line in the final 48.2 seconds to secure the victory.
Game Notes: Hailey scored 15 of the Eagles' final 28 points ... BC was outrebounded, 34-26 ... Sophomore guard Louis Hinnant suffered a sprained left ankle in the second half. Hinnant finished with five points and five assists (no turnovers) in 16 minutes of action ... Smith and Agbai each grabbed six rebounds to tie for team-high honors ... Smith made 10 field goals, marking the fifth time in the last six games that he's made 10 or more field goals in one game ... BC gained a 31-12 advantage from the foul line.
