Boston College Falls to Cal, 86-75: Eagles Show Fight but Can’t Overcome Early Deficit
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College had its moments on Saturday afternoon at Conte Forum, but a slow start and a red-hot California offense proved too much to overcome. The Eagles dropped an 86-75 decision to the Golden Bears, despite four players hitting double figures and a second-half push that brought the home crowd to life.
First Half: Cal Sets the Tone Early
Things got off to a rocky start for BC. Cal opened the game with a tough mid-range jumper and quickly built momentum, racing out to a 15-4 lead in the opening minutes. The Eagles found some footing thanks to Boden Kapke’s free throws and a pair of buckets from Luka Toews, trimming the deficit to single digits by the 12-minute mark.
But every time BC looked ready to chip away, Cal had an answer. The two teams traded threes midway through the half, but the Golden Bears kept control, holding a 27-17 edge with just over seven minutes left before halftime.
Then came the turning point. Cal rattled off a 16-6 run over a six-minute stretch, stretching the lead and silencing the building. By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, the Golden Bears were firmly in control, up 43-28.
Second Half: Eagles Push Back, But Cal Closes Strong
Boston College opened the second half with a spark - a strong take to the rim by Jayden Hastings - but Cal’s perimeter shooting continued to do damage. A barrage of three-pointers kept the visitors in front, extending the lead to 55-40 by the first media timeout.
Still, BC didn’t fold.
Aidan Shaw brought some energy with a pair of highlight dunks, and Chase Forte sparked a mini-run with six straight points of his own, slicing the deficit to 11 with just over eight minutes to play. The Eagles had a window, and for a few minutes, it felt like a comeback might be brewing.
But Cal never let it get closer than that. The Golden Bears stayed composed, knocked down timely shots, and closed the game out at the free throw line to seal the 86-75 win.
By the Numbers: Payne Leads the Way Again
Fred Payne continued to be a steady presence for BC, dropping 16 points to lead all Eagle scorers. It marked his 22nd game scoring in double figures this season - a testament to his consistency in an up-and-down year for the program.
Forte added 14, while Hastings and Toews chipped in 12 apiece. The offense wasn’t the issue - BC found scoring from multiple spots - but the defense couldn’t slow down a Cal team that was clicking from deep and efficient in transition.
Season Snapshot
The loss drops Boston College to 2-10 in ACC play and 9-16 overall. It’s been a challenging stretch for the Eagles, who’ve shown flashes of potential but haven’t been able to string together consistent performances in a loaded conference.
Saturday’s game also marked a shift in the all-time series between the two programs. Cal now leads 3-2, taking the edge in a matchup that’s seen its share of competitive battles.
Looking Ahead
Boston College will look to regroup and refocus as they continue through the heart of ACC play. With several conference games still on the slate, there’s time to build momentum and finish the season on a stronger note. The pieces are there - now it’s about putting them together for a full 40 minutes.