Raji, Trapani Second Half Surge Leads BC Over UMass

By MikeBBonner in College, Featured ⋅ December 24, 2009 at 8:21am ⋅ Post a comment

Rakim Sanders (Photo Courtesy of Adam Hunger/AP)

After totaling two points in the first half, Corey Raji and Joe Trapani combined for 34 points in the second half. The second half surge allowed Boston College to cruise to a 79-67 win over UMass. The two-headed second half monster was far from a terror in the first half. Trapani missed seven of his first eight shots, heading into the locker room with two points. Raji was even worse: the junior forward missed all five of his shots in the first 20 minutes of play.

Eagles Lead at Halftime Despite Troubles

Even with the two struggling, BC still took a 26-25 lead into halftime. Out of the locker room, the duo of Raji and Trapani wasted to time making up for their poor play. They scored 27 of the Eagles first 31 points. The scoring barrage increased what was a one point lead at halftime to a game high 12 point lead with 7:18 remaining. Trapani and Raji each finished with a team high 18 points.

RakimSanders was not far behind with 15. In his third consecutive game back after injuring his ankle, Sanders finished with a career high eight assists, five coming in the first eight minutes of the second half to either Raji or Trapani.

Gurley Shines for UMass Despite Loss

For the Minutemen, guard Anthony Gurley had game highs 23 points and 10 rebounds. Gurley nailed a three-pointer with 14:35 remaining in the game to tie the game at 40. The Eagles responded via jumpers from Raji and Trapani. Trapani answered Gurley’s three with a long range jumper of his own. Raji then hit back-to-back buckets, followed up by a layup by, who else, Trapani. It capped off a 9-2 run. From that point on UMass could not cut the lead to fewer than six.

Boston College gets a week off and will play South Carolina Wednesday, December 30.