(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Boston College overcame a sluggish start to beat UAB and clinch 3rd place in the NIT Season Tip Off. UAB, playing without their second leading scorer, started off strong despite a poor shooting performance from the talented Robert Vaden. BC was outplayed in the 1st half and Rice was held scoreless as he was in fould trouble. But the Eagles stayed in it thanks in large part due to the play of Rakim Sanders. Sanders came alive this game and showed off his versaility, draining perimiete shots and scoring in the paint. He ended with 16 points. Rice was electric in the second half, hitting all 5 of his threes and making big shot after big shot. He finished with 24 points. Trapani added 12 points, but struggled to score in the paint. Reggie Jackson also added in 11 points in the win. Southern was absent offensively (6 points) but had 10 boards and 2 blocks.
I was concerned with BC's poor transition defense. It appeared on several occasions that BC was caught celebrating after a basket allowing UAB to push the ball up the court and get an easy layup. BC needs to improve the interior defense. We cannot afford to get into foul trouble like we did the first half. This was an important win for Boston College. It is nice to have this win on our resume, against a pretty talented UAB Blazer squad. Our shooting effort in the second half was encouraging, and hopefully our cold shooting is behind us. This victory just goes to show how valubale Rice is to our team. We simply need him to perform for us to have a chance.
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