Boston College
Providence*
Men's Basketball Loses to No. 24 Providence, 61-52
February 14, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Providence (17-5, 8-3 BIG EAST) was led by junior forward Ryan Gomes, who finished with a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Smith was the lone Eagle to score in double figures. Senior Uka Agbai, junior Jermaine Watson and freshman Jared Dudley each tallied eight points. Agbai grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, while Dudley dished out a team-best six assists.
The Eagles twice led by two points in the game's opening minutes, but the Friars took the lead for good at 11-8 on a Gomes three-point field goal with 12:04 remaining in the first half.
Boston College (16-8, 5-6) trailed 32-25 at halftime and fell behind by as many as 12 points twice early in the second half before rallying. Trailing 41-29 with 17:18 remaining, the host Eagles used a 16-7 run to trim the margin to just three points - 48-45 - with 6:35 to play. The BC run wasn't keyed by one player, but rather six players who each contributed at least two points. Smith, Dudley, Watson and Louis Hinnant each netted three points, while Sean Marshall and Agbai each added two points.
Providence answered with an 11-0 run over the game's next three minutes to take a 59-45 advantage with 3:11 left on the clock. BC never threatened in the final minutes.
Game Notes: BC shot 38.9 percent from the field ... Providence gained a slim 36-32 rebounding edge ... Dudley's six assists fell one shy of his career-high seven (set twice - vs. Connecticut and Notre Dame) ... BC was credited with 17 assists on 21 field goals ... BC returns to action on Monday against Seton Hall. Game time is 8 p.m. in Continental Airlines Arena.
