Kanaan Carlyle scored a team-high 19 points to lead the host Florida Atlantic Owls to an 83-78 overtime win on Monday night in Boca Raton, Fla.
Carlyle was one of five scorers in double figures for the Owls (1-0), who rallied from a nine-point deficit with 5:12 to go in regulation to win their season opener for the fourth consecutive season. Boston College (0-1) lost its 12th consecutive road game.
Trailing 81-78, Boston College’s Donald Hand Jr.’s three-point attempt with seven seconds left in overtime bounced off the back of the rim and into FAU’s Yohann Sissoko’s grasp. Sissoko proceeded to hit a pair of free throws to seal the outcome and finish with 15 points.
Sissoko helped the Owls come back in the second half and send the game to overtime when he hit a three-pointer that tied the game at 66 with 31 seconds remaining in regulation.
FAU had one final chance to win it at the buzzer but Devin Vanterpool’s running shot missed as time expired.
In overtime, the Owls made four of their five shots and went 7 for 10 at the free-throw line. Sissoko also hit one of two free throws with 18 seconds left after Hand Jr. had cut FAU’s lead to 80-78 with 20 seconds remaining.
Hand Jr. led the Eagles with 20 points and seven rebounds while Boden Kapke finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. Kapke made three shots in a row and helped Boston College take a 66-61 lead with 1:15 left in regulation before the Owls rallied.
Chase Forte had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Eagles.
Vanterpool had nine points, 10 rebounds and six assists for FAU while Xander Pintelon totaled 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks.
Isaiah Elohim and Devin Williams each had 10 points for the Owls.
