Recap: LSU defeats Boston College, 78-69

Despite pushing an unbeaten LSU team into overtime, Boston College was unable to complete the task in a physical ACC/SEC Challenge matchup at Conte Forum on Wednesday night, as the team’s record dropped back below .500.

The Eagles entered the night with a defense that had carried it through the early season. The preview surrounding this matchup centered on whether the Eagles could generate enough scoring to keep pace with an LSU offense that had been piling up points. BC had leaned on rim protection and rebounding recently and was coming off a win over Harvard that featured improved perimeter shooting and a stronger rotation. Those strengths framed tonight’s challenge, but once the ball went up, the Eagles found themselves in a game that demanded something different.

The opening minutes belonged to LSU. The Tigers were quicker to loose balls, steadier on the glass, and ready to attack second chances. BC gave away possessions through turnovers and fell behind by multiple scores before settling in. LSU’s pressure created a 16-7 lead as BC struggled to get clean touches.

A brief run brought BC back within range. The Eagles found two shots from deep and tightened their coverage enough to shave the deficit to three. The surge evaporated when the offense stalled and LSU answered with a string of makes. By the time the half wound down, BC’s late improvement couldn’t offset LSU’s steady push, and the Tigers carried an 11-point lead into the break.

BC opened the second half much like it began the first, searching for rhythm. The game changed after the first media timeout. Stops turned into open-floor chances, and a 12-0 BC run erased LSU’s cushion. The Tigers cooled from the field while BC carved out space in the paint and redistributed the momentum of the night. When Jayden Hastings dropped in a hook to give BC its first lead, Conte Forum stirred at the payoff of the long catch-up effort.

But that edge didn’t hold. LSU regrouped and steadied its offense while BC tried to manufacture late separation. The Eagles reached the final possession of regulation with the chance to win but came up empty after the Tigers closed the lane on the final shot.

Overtime was where BC’s earlier heavy lifting hit a wall. The Eagles opened the extra frame with a bigger lineup designed to defend and create, yet the group couldn’t unlock its offense. BC went scoreless until inside the final three minutes, while LSU struck first and then stretched the margin at the free throw line and from the arc. A late three from LSU widened the gap and turned the extra period into a decisive swing.

BC’s scoring leaders reflected a balanced but hard-earned night. Luka Toews finished with 14 points, while Donald Hand Jr. and Boden Kapke added 12 apiece. Caleb Steger contributed 11 on efficient shooting from the perimeter. Hastings delivered four blocks, nine points, and nine rebounds, anchoring a frontcourt that battled throughout the second half.

The loss dropped BC to 0-3 in overtime games, concluding a night where their comeback effort could not outlast LSU’s late execution.

The Eagles (4-5, 3-2 Home) return to Conte Forum to finish their homestand Saturday against the University of New Haven Chargers (5-4, 1-2 Away), aiming to turn effort into wins as December kicks off.