Claudell Harris Jr. scored a team-high 17 points to help visiting Boston College extend its season with a 62-57 victory over third-seeded Providence on Tuesday in the opening round of the NIT.
Harris made a 3-pointer that handed BC a 60-57 lead with 52 seconds to play. The Eagles (20-15) came up with a steal on the ensuing possession and Devin McGlockton’s layup capped the scoring with 22 seconds remaining.
Harris was one of four BC players who scored in double figures. McGlockton had 15 plus nine rebounds, Quinten Post finished with 12 points and Elijah Strong tossed in 10. The Eagles advance to oppose either Princeton or UNLV this weekend.
Jayden Pierre scored a career 21 for Providence (21-14), which received 12 points and nine rebounds from Josh Oduro. Pierre made 5 of 9 3-point attempts.
BC will play the winner of Wednesday’s game between second-seeded Princeton and UNLV on either Saturday or Sunday.
Providence trailed 55-52 until Pierre made a 3-pointer that tied the game with 2:39 remaining, but BC regained the lead on Strong’s basket with 2:17 left. The Friars tied the game again on Oduro’s bucket inside with 1:17 on the clock.
Providence was missing junior guard Devin Carter, who injured his left ankle in the second half of his team’s 79-68 loss to Marquette in the Big East tournament semifinals. Carter, who was named the Big East Player of the Year, averaged 19.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
Neither team led by more than four points in a back-and-forth first half that ended with BC leading 31-30. Post picked up his third foul with 5:51 remaining before halftime and BC trailing by four.
McGlockton led all scorers in the first half with 11 points. Pierre led Providence with 10.
It was the second time BC and Providence have met in the NIT. The Friars earned a 75-58 victory in the 1993 tournament.
–Field Level Media
