Boston College
Kent State
Men's Basketball Gains Dramatic 67-65 Victory
December 29, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 29, 2004
Box Score in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Junior Craig Smith's 12-foot jump shot as time expired lifted Boston College to a dramatic 67-65 come-from-behind victory over Kent State before 6,706 fans in Conte Forum.
Trailing by five points with less than two minutes to play, BC scored the game's final seven points to earn the victory.
Smith's last-second basket gave BC its only lead of the night. The host Eagles trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half before leaving the court at the intermission facing a 14-point deficit (43-29). Kent State, which shot 56.3 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes, hit six three-point field goals in the opening half. BC, meanwhile, shot just 34.5 percent from the floor.
Kent State maintained its double-digit advantage throughout the early part of the second half. Junior DeAndre Haynes hit a three-pointer with 12:54 to play to give the Golden Flashes a 56-42 lead.
Boston College (10-0) then exploded for 14 straight points to even the score with 6:01 remaining on the clock. After Steve Hailey, Jared Dudley and Jermaine Watson each netted two points, Smith hit two free throws and sank one field goal to narrow the difference to four points. Freshman Sean Williams concluded the rally with two put-back field goals (and a blocked shot in between the two baskets).
The Golden Flashes (8-3) maintained their poise and hit three three-point field goals on their next four possessions to piece together a 9-4 run and claim a 65-60 lead with 1:39 to play.
Dudley hit his second three-pointer of the night with 1:24 left and Watson converted a lay-up off a Dudley steal to even the score at 65-65 with 1:06 remaining.
KSU's Haynes missed two free throws with seven seconds left. Smith grabbed the rebound of the second miss and called time out.
After BC emerged from the huddle, Smith took the inbounds pass and raced downcourt for the winning shot.
Dudley led BC with 21 points. Sean Marshall finished with 15 points (including 12 first-half points). Smith tallied 11 points and nine rebounds.
Game Notes: BC was outrebounded, 29-28 ... BC committed just seven turnovers ... BC gained a 13-1 scoring edge from the foul line ... Steve Hailey recorded a team-high five assists ... BC also overcame an 18-point halftime deficit early in the 2001-02 season. The Eagles trailed St. Bonaventure, 45-27, in the first half on Nov. 28, 2001, but rallied for a 96-82 victory in HSBC Arena in Buffalo, N.Y.
