Eagles Score Much-Needed Win
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Sean Marshall knew Boston College needed Saturday’s game. He knew that the previous two games were quite unacceptable performances by the Eagles, losses where they were completely out-played by Vermont and Providence. That’s why he sent out e-mails to every player on the team – well, all but one.
“I sent out e-mails, except to Sean Williams because I didn’t know his e-mail address, to everybody on the team,” the senior guard said, with a laughing Williams by his side. “If he keeps blocking those shots, I don’t have to send him e-mails.”
Williams, who blocked seven shots and had four steals to go with 13 points, did get Marshall’s text message the night before, though, so he wasn’t left out of the communication.
Marshall didn’t just let e-mails prior to the game do the talking, as he did that with his play as well in leading the Eagles to a sound 86-68 victory over visiting Rhode Island on Saturday in a game where they looked more like the Eagles of old. He took over the game in the latter part of the first half, when the Eagles took the lead and never looked back. Marshall scored 18 of his game-high 23 points, including 11 straight in a nearly three-minute stretch where he was seemingly in on every play at both ends of the floor, and where the Eagles turned a close game into a 17-point lead.
While Marshall has been inconsistent over his career, he has played well against Rhode Island, having scored 21 points in a road win against the Rams last season. He’s had games like he did on Saturday where he has been the best player on the floor, but at times he’s disappeared as well. This game illustrated how good the Eagles can be when he’s on in addition to everyone else.
The Eagles shot the ball well, played a more physical game at both ends of the floor, made plays on defense besides the shot-blocking of Williams, and simply played the kind of game the coaching staff could be happy about. They had a 38-24 edge in points in the paint and a 31-16 edge in points off turnovers. They were getting baskets with a foul, weren’t shying away from contact, and generally executed at the offensive end more like most expected them to in picking them third in the ACC and ranking them near the top 10 of most preseason polls.
“We knew they were coming off two losses, and we knew they were going to try to turn it up at home, and that’s what they did,” Rhode Island forward Will Daniels said.
One player who has been a target early on, sophomore point guard Tyrese Rice, had a better game on Saturday. He went for 19 points on 7-14 shooting, and added five assists. He had five turnovers as well, but generally made better decisions with the ball than he has early on. The Eagles need more of that from him as their floor leader, and that was made clear in a team meeting held the day before the game.
“Everybody just came in and was honest about each other, talking to each other and telling each other what we expect from each other and how we can become a better team,” Marshall said. “A lot was said to Tyrese to be more of a leader for our team, and I think he did a good job today.”
Rice clearly got the message, as Marshall’s e-mail was hanging up in his locker.
Jared Dudley, the other senior co-captain, had a quiet double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and added five assists – another typical stat line when the Eagles play well.
The Eagles needed to get back on track, and they may have done so just in the nick of time. Michigan State comes to town on Wednesday, and though this is a young Spartans team, they will be a tough matchup for the Eagles. More than anything, the game will be a good barometer of whether or not the Eagles have turned a corner.
