Boston College Stumbles Early, Can't Recover in Road Loss to No. 4 Duke
**DURHAM, N.C. ** - A cold start and a relentless Duke defense proved too much for Boston College to overcome Tuesday night, as the Eagles fell 67-49 at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Despite a strong showing from freshman Fred Payne and a full-team scoring effort, BC couldn’t dig out of the early hole against the No. 4 Blue Devils.
Let’s break it down.
First Half: A Brutal Opening Stretch
The game couldn’t have started much worse for the Eagles. Duke came out firing, opening the contest on a 13-0 run that left Boston College scrambling to find its footing. It wasn’t until Fred Payne slashed through the lane for a pair of driving layups that the Eagles finally got on the board.
To their credit, BC settled in after that initial burst, trading baskets with the Blue Devils and showing some offensive rhythm. Caleb Steger knocked down a three and Jayden Hastings added a strong finish at the rim to cut the deficit to 29-18 with just under eight minutes left in the half.
But Duke’s early cushion held strong. The Blue Devils kept the Eagles at arm’s length, maintaining a double-digit lead into the break. At halftime, BC trailed 42-27 - a manageable margin, but one that felt heavier given how the game had started.
Second Half: Defensive Grit, But Not Enough Firepower
Coming out of the locker room, both teams traded buckets in the early going, but Duke quickly stretched its lead to 20 with 15:31 to play. That’s when Boston College tightened the screws defensively.
The Eagles clamped down, holding Duke to just two made field goals over the next 10 minutes - a stretch that showcased BC’s grit and defensive potential. During that span, Boden Kapke and Jason Asemota each buried a three-pointer, trimming the deficit to 58-45 and injecting some life into the Eagles’ bench.
But the comeback effort ran out of steam.
BC simply couldn’t generate enough offense to close the gap. The Blue Devils weathered the drought, regained their rhythm late, and closed out the win in front of a raucous home crowd.
Notables: Payne Shines Again, Balanced Scoring Across the Board
- Fred Payne continues to be a bright spot in a challenging season. The freshman guard poured in 14 points and grabbed five rebounds, marking his 18th double-digit scoring effort in the last 20 games.
He’s not just scoring - he’s setting the tone.
- Jayden Hastings led the Eagles on the glass, pulling down a team-high nine rebounds and providing a physical presence inside.
- In a small but encouraging milestone, all nine players who saw the floor for Boston College recorded at least one basket - the first time that’s happened this season. It’s a sign of depth and effort, even if the scoreboard didn’t reflect it.
- The loss drops BC to 2-7 in ACC play and 9-13 overall. The all-time series against Duke now stands at 3-31, with the Blue Devils continuing their dominance in this matchup.
What’s Next: Miami Comes to Town
Boston College returns home for a Saturday matinee against Miami at Conte Forum. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. ET and will air on ACC Network, with radio coverage on WEEI 850.
This will be the 61st meeting between the two programs, and BC holds a slight edge in the series at 31-29. The Eagles have had Miami’s number lately, winning the last four matchups - including a 78-68 victory at home on New Year’s Day 2025.
If BC can bring the same defensive energy they showed in the second half against Duke - and pair it with a more consistent offensive effort - they’ll have a real shot to get back in the win column.
For now, though, it’s back to the film room and the practice court. The fight is there. Now it’s about putting it all together.