Boston College Rallies and Remains Undefeated

The Boston College Eagles believe something special is happening this season, and it’s not luck, either.

Jared Dudley scored 21 points and made a three-point basket with 1:20 left to give Boston College the lead, and the No. 8 Eagles remained undefeated with a 78-75 victory over Providence on Wednesday night.

Boston College (17-0 overall, 6-0 in the Big East Conference) is off to its best start in team history in the regular season and conference play.

“It’s just something about us,” said Craig Smith, who also scored 21 points. “We just have a feeling we can’t lose right now. We always go into each game feeling we should win.”

Boston College and No. 1 Illinois are the only undefeated teams in Division I.

Donnie McGrath led Providence (9-9, 0-5) with 17 points, matching his season high.

A three-point basket by McGrath gave the Friars a 75-71 lead with 3:19 left, but Boston College’s Jermaine Watson answered with a basket in the lane to cut the deficit to two. The teams traded turnovers before Dudley made his three-point basket from the left wing to put Boston College in front.

“He’s exploded this year,” Smith said of Dudley, who also led the Eagles with 12 rebounds and added six assists. “He should be a name people should be talking about. That shot shows how much poise he has, and he’s willing to take big shots.”

Boston College plays host to Georgetown on Saturday and West Virginia on Tuesday.