Boston College
Northwestern
Men's Basketball Falls in NIT Second Round
March 19, 2011 | Men's Basketball
March 19, 2011
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Senior Joe Trapani tallied a team-high 18 points, senior Josh Southern scored 12 points and senior Biko Paris posted 11 points to lead Boston College in an 85-67 loss to Northwestern in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament in Conte Forum.
The loss ended the Eagles' 2010-11 campaign. In head coach Steve Donahue's first season, BC finished with a 21-13 record. Today's game also marked the final collegiate contest for BC's senior class - Trapani, Southern, Paris, Corey Raji, Cortney Dunn, Chris Kowalski, John Cahill and Nick Mosakowski.
The visiting Wildcats tied a Conte Forum record with 15 three-point field goals. Northwestern shot 54.8 percent from the field, including 41.7 percent from long range.
BC shot 52.2 percent from the floor. The Eagles sank five three-pointers.
Boston College took its only lead of the day at 14-12 on a Trapani jumper with 11:19 remaining in the first half. Northwestern answered with eight straight points to claim the lead for good.
The Eagles evened the score at 23-23 after a 9-3 rally. Southern scored five points and Trapani four in this stretch.
The visitors then outscored BC 15-5 over the next six minutes to take a 38-28 lead with 56.2 seconds left in the half. BC closed the half with a Paris trifecta and trailed 38-31 at the break.
The Eagles trailed 60-48 with 11:14 to play, before Northwestern stretched its advantage with five straight points. After BC battled back to within 12 on four free throws and a Paris three-pointer, the Wildcats secured the victory with a 10-2 run that gave the visiting team a 20-point cushion - 77-57 - with 5:29 to play.
BC never got closer than 13 points the rest of the way.
Game Notes: Northwestern was credited with 27 assists on 34 field goals ... The Wildcats gained a 29-20 rebounding advantage ... BC made seven steals, including three by Trapani.
