Greensboro, N.C. — Boston College men’s basketball was without leading scorer Quinten Post for the 17th time this season, but the No. 10-seed Eagles (16–16, 9–11 Atlantic Coast) managed to defeat No.15-seed Louisville (4–28, 2–18) 80–62 behind Jaeden Zackery’s and Makai Ashton-Langford’s combined 31 points in the first round of the ACC Tournament on Tuesday.
Post injured his foot less than three minutes into Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech and was a game-time decision leading up to today’s game. But the Eagles adjusted without their seven-footer as well as without second-leading scorer Ashton-Langford, who picked up his third foul at the 8:24 mark in the first half and remained on the bench until the start of the second half. Eight different Eagles scored in the win.
Ashton-Langford made his presence known before he was subbed out, nailing back-to-back 3-pointers to put BC ahead 11–9 at the 14:11 mark. But once he was placed on the bench, BC scored only 14 more points in the half, with DeMarr Langford Jr.—who returned from a two-game absence—appearing uncomfortable being the lead point guard.
The Eagles’ offense subsequently went stagnant, reverting to heavy isolation play and not much movement. Louisville closed the half on a 19–6 run to put itself ahead 34–31 at the break.
But BC’s defense locked in on El Ellis for much of the first half, limiting the ACC’s second-highest scorer to just five points, and zero points until the 2:34 mark.
BC notched four-straight points to open the half, with the offense appearing more settled with Ashton-Langford back on the hardwood. Devin McGlockton also used his elusiveness to roll the basket effectively, catching tight-knit passes from Ashton-Langford and Zackery. The redshirt freshman finished with 11 points.
Zackery emerged as BC’s offensive catalyst near the halfway mark of the half, helping the Eagles go on two separate 6–0 runs. His physicality down low allowed him to draw fouls and resulted in Louisville getting in the bonus at the 14:10 mark.
But Zackery couldn’t take complete advantage from the charity stripe, finishing 7-of-13 from the line.
A long Eagles offensive possession that featured three separate offensive rebounds led to a Mason Madsen 3-pointer, putting BC ahead 61–51 at the 6:40 mark. The Eagles only briefly let up their double digit lead and eventually pulled away in what was nearly a 20-point victory.
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