BC Basketball came into into this game with extreme momentum. Starting out the game with Rich Kelly running the offense.
Kelly, the Graduate Transfer from Quinnipiac, which if you don’t know who that school is, it’s a small school in Connecticut that’s consistently good in really only hockey. They’re okay in basketball, although some predicted them to make the tournament and win the MAAC last year before the season was obviously cancelled. Kelly was making his first start of the season for BC, and thrived in the role.
Kelly had 14 points in the first half, getting some points beyond the arc, in transition, and even in the paint. More importantly Kelly gave the offense a sense of urgency and feel that just is different. The Eagles were getting open, knocking down shots left and right, and getting rebound after rebound. BC shot an astonishing 69.2% from the field in the first half, and 71.4% from beyond the arc.
Duke would go on a run here and there, but it would quickly be stopped by BC. BC was forcing Duke to take low percentage shots, and getting high percentage shots for themselves.
After some amazing steals, and great rebounding, the Eagles were able to get out to an early 31-19 lead. The momentum didn’t stop. It only got better for BC. BC led by as much as 16 at one point, and went into the half with a 43-30 lead.
BC’s start to the second half was really slow. Duke went on a run, and all the sudden BC was down 50-48. The thing is, BC stayed in it. Rich Kelly was clearly fatigued and needed some rest, so Jay Heath took over as PG. Ashton-Langford was out with a knee injury, so they didn’t have much depth at the guard position.
To add to that, Wynston Tabbs really struggled, and only put up 6 points, about 9 less than his average, 15.8 PPG. He went 2-8 from the field, but did go 2-2 from beyond the arc. The stats may not look all that bad, but he just did not look like himself.
Jay Heath was okay. Heath went 3-9 from the field, and played a team leading 38 minutes. He did run the offense pretty well though. Made some bad turnovers, especially during crunch time. Overall an okay performance from Heath though.
One player that REALLy stood out in particular, was CJ Felder. Felder only averaged 8.1 PPG coming into this game, yet, he was relentless last night. He finished with a grand total of 27 points! 10-13 from the field, 4-6 beyond the arc. The second half was really popped off. Steffon Mitchell played a huge role on the boards as always, and made a couple nice plays as well. Karnik also helped out Mitchell down low playing excellent defense.
Even after losing the lead, BC stuck with the Blue Devils the whole way through. It was back and forth, and there was so many lead changes throughout the second half.
With 1:14 left, BC down 78-75, Tabbs drove in, gave it to Felder. Felder fumbled the pass, but picked it right back up and laid it up for the And-1! Felder did miss the free throw though. Duke lost grip of it, on the next possession, and BC had it with 46.4 seconds left, but no. After a very long, close, and intense replay review, it went out of bounds off of Wynston Tabbs. Duke ball, but luckily for BC only with 2 seconds left. That didn’t seem to matter for Wendell Moore Jr., as he knocked down a fadeaway shot that would be difficult for any human being to hit. Duke had the 80-77 lead with 43 seconds to go.
Jay Heath drove in, took a floater with 25 seconds left, and it was a one point game. 80-79. BC fouled Jordan Goldwire immidiately. 82-79, BC ball with 21.9 seconds left.
Jay Heath brang the ball up the court, and tried to give it to CJ Felder, but the pass was too far in back of CJ Felder. Duke had the ball, and BC fouled them immidiately. It took Duke to the line. Wendell Moore Jr. missed the first free throw, which gave BC hope, but he made the second one, and there was virtually no chance for BC. CJ Felder was able to knock down a three with exactly one second left on the clock, but that was it for BC.
Final Score – 83-82, Duke wins.
Typical BC basketball. Not being able to win basketball games. The same thing has happened against Villanova, St Johns, Minnesota, NC State, and now Duke. Where they are in it the whole way through but can’t seem to come out on top.
BC Basketball will take on Virginia on Saturday, at Conte.
BC moves to 2-8, 0-4 in ACC play.