Carter's 28 points carries BC past New Hampshire 72-67 in OT

BOSTON (AP) The rest of Boston College's players seemed to be doing what everyone else in the arena was in the final minutes of regulation and overtime - watching Eli Carter.

They saw a good performance.

Graduate transfer Carter had a tiebreaking 3-point play with 36.4 seconds to play in overtime and also hit four free throws in the final seconds to finish with 28 points, lifting Boston College to a 72-67 win over New Hampshire on Wednesday afternoon.

''I would like to get more production from everybody else,'' BC coach Jim Christian said. ''I thought Eli made every play. They deferred to him on every play. That's not how we've been playing.''

The 6-foot-2 point guard, who graduated from Florida, added five rebounds and four assists.

''He's played a lot of games (in college),'' Christian said. ''Even when he makes mistakes he doesn't get rattled.''

Jerome Robinson added 14 points and Dennis Clifford had 10 with seven rebounds for Boston College (7-6). The Eagles won their fourth straight after a six-game losing streak.

But it was too much Carter for the Wildcats to handle late.

''I thought this kids been around the block and back, so to speak,'' New Hampshire coach Bill Herrion said. ''He's played in the Big East, he's played in the SEC and now he's in the ACC, it's tough. He kind of took over down the stretch, but he's a very good player.''

Jacoby Armstrong scored 19 points, Ronnel Jordan 16 and Jaleen Smith 15 for New Hampshire (7-6).

''Give our kids a lot of credit,'' Herrion said. ''I thought we really fought and I thought we played well. It would have been a great win for us, but we just didn't make enough plays down the stretch.''

After New Hampshire tied it on Smith's two free throws with 1:05 left in OT, Carter made an up fake as the shot clock was winding down, was fouled as he banked in a shot. He then nailed the free throw, making it 68-65.

Carter's two free throws made it 70-67 with 16.9 seconds left. Jordan then missed a 3-pointer. Carter's two free throws with four seconds sealed it.

Carter had a pair of baskets in the final 62 seconds of regulation, but Smith's 3-pointer with 7.3 seconds tied it.

Carter then stole an inbounds pass but missed a half-court shot, sending the game to OT.

Boston College had pulled ahead 58-57 on Carter's short jumper in the lane after he lost control of the ball, but caught it and went up for a shot.

After Jordan missed a long jumper for New Hampshire, Carter drove the lane for basket with 17.7 seconds left.

Trailing by six points with 3 1/2 minutes to play, the Wildcats went on a 7-0 run that was capped by Armstrong's basket in the lane with 1:34 to play.

The teams were tied five times in the closing 13 minutes before the Eagles took the lead, 51-50, on Carter's driving basket with 5:14 to play.

Robinson followed with a driving basket before Evan Meznieks' transition 3-pointer from the right wing gave BC a six-point advantage with 3:38 left.

New Hampshire closed the first half by scoring the final nine points - the last 3 coming on Smith's jumper in front of BC's bench at the buzzer - to grab a 29-27 edge at halftime.

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TIP-INS

New Hampshire: Leading scorer Tanner Leissner (14.7 points per game) didn't start, but entered in the game's opening six minutes. He scored eight points in 19 minutes. It was the last nonconference game.

Boston College: The Eagles finished their nonconference portion of their schedule with their third game against an America East team, going 2-1. . Reserve C Idy Diallo picked up four fouls in 7 minutes.

NEED TO SHARE IT MORE

Christian said his team needs to improve its assist total.

''We've been averaging close to 20. That's not how we've been playing,'' he said when he saw 10 on the stat sheet.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Eagles face Duke on Saturday in its Atlantic Coast Conference opener, and Christian said his team will need to be ready to score.

''You cannot win in a league that we play in without scoring,'' he said. ''I don't care how good your defense is.''

UP NEXT

New Hampshire: Off until January 9 when the Wildcats host Binghamton in their America East opener.

Boston College: Hosts No. 15 Duke on Saturday.