Boston College (7-13, 2-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) fell for the third straight game. Virginia (16-3, 3-2) rebounded from a 2-point home loss to Virginia Tech just four days prior.
Ryan Anderson led the Eagles with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Virginia took a 34-23 lead 26 seconds into the second half on a 3-pointer from Joe Harris, but the Eagles slowly chipped away with a 21-10 run that was completed by crowd-silencing 3-pointers from Matt Humphrey and Danny Rubin.
“They punched us in the mouth when they went up 11 in the second half and we come all the way back,’’ Donahue said. “I was really proud of our effort.’’
Rather than calling a timeout with 10:24 remaining in the game, Virginia coach Tony Bennett remained patient with his defensive-minded team. Point guard Jontel Evans drove to the basket for a tough runner off the glass and guard Malcolm Brogdon followed with a successful drive against the Eagles’ interior.
“We said that if our guards could get a rebound, they should look up the floor to get some pressure on BC and we had to back that up with good decisions,’’ Bennett said. “A couple of our decisions were not solid, but I think you have to be willing to do that. We didn’t do that against Virginia Tech for whatever reason.’’
Boston College, which made 4 of its 13 3-point attempts in the second half, made just two field goals in the final 10 minutes despite getting solid looks.
“We had a couple of wide open [3-pointers] and we just did not make them,’’ Donahue said. “They are a great defensive team and they make you move the ball, and we did and we got open shots and we just didn’t make them at those points.
“I think we got tired and fatigued. It is all part of the challenge.’’
The Eagles have some time to rest before hosting Miami (11-7, 2-3) on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Boston College led early, going up 7-2 on a 3-pointer from Anderson with 17:13 left in the first half, but the Cavaliers bounced back and the lead was exchanged six times in the opening half.
Virginia senior forward Mike Scott paced the Cavaliers with 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting, but was limited to four rebounds.
“He is terrific,’’ Donahue said. “He consistently makes 17- to 18-footers and you can challenge him, but he is very comfortable making them. I thought we did a good job on him and that’s what’s so crazy. I thought we made him work for it.’’
