Tigers’ Rally Falls Just Short In Loss To Eagles, 67-61

Feb. 11, 2006

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BOSTON (AP) – Jared Dudley scored 13 of his 16 points in the second half, including five in the final 1:16, to lead No. 17 Boston College to a 67-61 win over Clemson on Saturday night.

Sean Marshall had 18 points, Craig Smith 11 and Louis Hinnant 11 for the Eagles (19-5, 7-4 Atlantic Coast Conference). BC has won eight of its last nine games after starting its inaugural ACC season 0-3.

Akin Akingbala had 21 points and K.C. Rivers 13 for the Tigers (14-10, 3-7). Clemson has lost seven of its last eight games.

Clemson trailed 55-41 after Dudley’s basket with 8:34 left, but forced some turnovers off its press and went on a 10-0 run over a 1:59 stretch to cut it to four on Vernon Hamilton’s steal and layup with 5:23 to play.

The Tigers trailed 59-54, but tied it after a 3-pointer by Rivers and Cliff Hammonds’ basket off a goaltending by Sean Williams with 1:39 left.

But Dudley was fouled on BC’s next possession, making both free throws with 1:16 to play.

Williams then made up for his goaltending, blocking shots on consecutive possessions. After the first block, Dudley scored in the lane and was fouled on BC’s next trip, hitting one free throw, to make it 64-59.

Smith sealed it with two free throws in the final 12.4 seconds.

BC led by six at the half and opened the second half by scoring eight of the first 13 points, pulling to a 40-31 edge on Marshall’s jumper with 17:26 to play.

The Tigers stayed within seven points and again were able to slow the pace to their style until Hinnant nailed a 3-pointer from the left wing and Dudley completed a four-point play to make it 50-40 with 10:25 left.

After his four-point play, Dudley had a breakaway dunk after a tip-pass from Hinnant, pushing it to 52-40.

The Eagles, who held Clemson to 32 percent shooting (10-of-32) in the first half, led 32-26 at intermission.

The teams were tied four times and the pace was slow for the opening 12 minutes before the Eagles figured out Clemson’s zone and took charge, going on 13-2 run over a 5:07 stretch. Marshall had three baskets and Hinnant scored five points in the spurt.