Boston College Set to Host No. 16 North Carolina in ACC Showdown at Conte Forum
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College is back in action Monday night under the lights of Conte Forum, welcoming No. 16/15 North Carolina for an 8 p.m. ACC Network clash that offers more than just another conference game-it’s a shot at a signature win that could breathe life into the Eagles’ season.
BC Looking to Bounce Back
The Eagles are coming off a tough 73-67 loss to Northeastern in their non-conference finale. It was a game that slipped away early and late, with Northeastern shooting over 50 percent in both the first and fourth quarters. Despite the setback, there were bright spots on the BC side.
Freshman Amirah Anderson continues to emerge as a steady presence, leading the team with 15 points and six boards. She did most of her damage at the line, showing poise in pressure moments.
Athena Tomlinson added nine points, knocking down multiple threes while also grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists. Teionni McDaniel played the role of facilitator, handing out a game-high seven assists to go with her nine points.
Kayla Rolph chipped in 10 points on efficient shooting, hitting 3-of-6 from the field.
What’s at Stake
A win Monday would be more than just another tally in the W column-it would be a momentum-shifter. It would:
- Improve BC’s record to 5-10
- Mark their first win over a ranked opponent since the 2022-23 season
- Be their first ranked win at home since the 2021-22 campaign
- Snap a six-game losing streak
It’s a tall order, but the Eagles have shown flashes of potential-they just need to put it all together for 40 minutes.
Numbers Worth Noting
- Amirah Anderson is one of just five freshmen in the ACC averaging at least 7.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. That’s impressive company for the young guard.
- Kayla Rolph is finding her rhythm from beyond the arc, shooting a career-best 37.3 percent from three-point range.
- Erin Houpt remains one of the most efficient long-range shooters in the nation, hitting 42.2 percent of her threes-good for sixth among active NCAA players.
What to Watch Monday Night
1. Kayla Rolph’s Surge
Rolph has been on an upswing lately, averaging 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the floor over her last two games. That’s a big jump from the 4.25 points per game she averaged in the four games prior.
If she keeps trending up, BC’s offense becomes a lot tougher to guard.
2. Perimeter Defense
Containing UNC’s three-point shooting will be critical. The Tar Heels average 9.1 made threes per game, tops in the ACC.
If BC can chase shooters off the line and contest consistently, they’ll give themselves a chance to stay in it.
3. Taking Care of the Ball
UNC’s defense thrives on creating turnovers, especially in wins where they’ve forced over 21 per game. In their three losses, that number drops significantly.
If BC can value possessions and limit giveaways, they’ll take away one of UNC’s biggest weapons.
4. Owning the Offensive Glass
BC has been relentless on the offensive boards lately, averaging 12.75 second-chance opportunities over the last four games. That kind of hustle can help them hang around against a deeper, more experienced Tar Heels squad.
5. Getting to the Stripe
The Eagles have been living at the free-throw line, averaging 19.3 attempts over their last three games. They’re also converting at a solid clip-75.3 percent, fourth-best in the ACC.
Drawing contact and making those freebies could be a game-changer.
Scouting the Tar Heels (11-3, 0-1 ACC)
UNC comes in riding a two-game win streak and has been solid away from home, posting a 5-2 record in road or neutral-site games. Their latest outing was a dominant 93-74 win over Charleston Southern.
Elina Aarnisalao led the way in that one with 16 points, while Indya Nivar put together a well-rounded performance with 14 points, four rebounds, and six assists. Nivar is the team’s leading scorer on the season, averaging 12.4 points on an efficient 49.6 percent shooting.
Ciera Toomey is another name to watch-she’s averaging 11.4 points and a team-best 7.0 rebounds per game, converting an impressive 61.9 percent of her shots.
As a team, UNC is lethal from deep, shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc-best in the ACC and top 35 nationally. Their 9.1 threes per game lead the conference, and spacing the floor will be a big part of their game plan Monday night.
Series History
UNC holds a commanding 18-5 edge in the all-time series, including wins in the last two meetings. That said, BC did notch a memorable 78-74 win at home in the first of three matchups last season. They’ve shown they can compete with the Tar Heels-it’s about consistency and execution.
Up Next
After Monday’s matchup, the Eagles head south to face Duke in a New Year’s Day showdown at 1 p.m. in Durham. Then it’s back home for a Sunday evening tilt against Pittsburgh.
Bottom Line: Monday night presents a golden opportunity for Boston College. A ranked opponent on their home floor, a chance to end a losing streak, and a shot at a statement win in front of the home crowd. If the Eagles can defend the perimeter, crash the glass, and stay aggressive offensively, they might just have the recipe to pull off the upset.