Canes Clip Wings Of BC Eagles, 72-50
CORAL GABLES (AP) — Joe Rahon, coming off his best scoring game this season, had a tough time even attempting a shot against the Miami Hurricanes.
Rahon was shut out and Boston College was stymied by the No. 8 Hurricanes, who won 72-50 on Tuesday night.
The young Eagles shot 37 percent, including 5 for 23 from 3-point range.
"That's what you see in freshmen and young players," coach Steve Donahue said. "We're not a team that necessarily understands how we're going to win every game. We're just trying to develop that."
Boston College (10-12, 2-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) lost to Miami for the second time in three weeks, and for the sixth consecutive time.
The Hurricanes (18-3, 9-0) have won 10 consecutive games and are 10-0 in their on-campus arena, winning each of the past three home games by at least 22 points. They're the last unbeaten team in league play among the major conferences.
"When you start believing in yourselves, it snowballs," Donahue said. "You have a team with an incredible amount of confidence. They are talented, they're older and there are not a lot of weaknesses."
The Hurricanes' ranking this week is their highest since 1960, and they've already equaled the school record for ACC victories in a season. But they're not resting on their laurels.
"The moment you get distracted, it's like driving your car and texting at the same time," coach Jim Larranaga said. "It's too easy to get into an accident."
Junior Rion Brown tied a career high with 22 points off the bench. Kenny Kadji scored 10 points during a span of four possessions to start a second-half surge.
Kadji finished with 16 points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes for the Hurricanes, who went 11 for 22 from 3-point range. They held an ACC opponent to 50 points or less for the fourth time.
Rahon, who was averaging 10.8 points per game, missed all four shots he attempted, including a trio of 3-pointers. He had scored 26 points Sunday in a victory over Clemson.
"Obviously the radar goes off for Miami," Donahue said. "They did a good job getting after him, and the shots weren't there."
Durand Scott had 11 points and seven rebounds for the Hurricanes, while Shane Larkin added 10 points and five assists.
"We're playing with a lot of confidence right now," Larkin said. "We're having a pretty special season."
But the Hurricanes' streak of sellouts — a rarity for the perennially overlooked program — ended at two games. Attendance was 5,149.
Olivier Hanlan scored 16 points for the Eagles. Ryan Anderson had 14 points and 11 rebounds, butMiami outrebounded Boston College 42-30.
The game matched teams at the top and bottom of the ACC, but there was no letup by the Hurricanes. Scott went sprawling to the hardwood in the opening minute to corral a loose ball. Another scramble sent two Hurricanes diving to the court in pursuit, and Miami hit the boards hard from the start.
"We have a senior-laden team, and those guys are very hungry," Larranaga said. "They're having fun playing together."
When Boston College reduced its deficit to six points early in the second half, Miami responded with a 17-4 run to put the game away. The spurt started with the 6-foot-11 Kadji — often a force inside — causing damage from the perimeter.
"I can do both," he said. "It doesn't matter to me. Whatever the team needs. Just call my name, and I'll do it."
Kadji sank a runner, hit a 3-pointer, converted a four-point play and then made one of two free throws for a 43-29 lead.
"Daggers," Donahue said of Kadji's baskets.
