Robinson, Popovic lead BC past LaSalle

By WILLIAM S. PAXTON
Associated Press
  
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) -- Jerome Robinson scored a season-high 25 points to lead Boston College over La Salle 82-61 on Sunday in the consolation game of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament.
  
Nik Popovic had 18 points for the Eagles (4-1). Ky Bowman added 13 points and Jordan Chatman 10. Deontae Hawkins had 10 points and 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.
  
Boston College outrebound La Salle 48-30.
  
B.J. Johnson led the Explorers (3-2) with 27 points, while Pookie Powell added 16. No other player scored more than six points.
  
The Eagles closed the first half on a 10-0 run, with Bowman hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer, to make it 30-22. The Explorers led 17-13 with 10:42 left, but finished the half making just 1 of their last 14 shots.
  
Bowman and Popovic each had eight points at the half, and the Eagles scored eight points off eight offensive rebounds.
  
In the second half, La Salle cut the lead to 40-34 on Johnnie Shuler's 3-pointers inside 13 minutes, but the Eagles answered with a 10-3 run to create some breathing room.
  
BC shot 56 percent in the second half, and 48 percent for the game. La Salle finished at 34 percent shooting overall.
  
BIG PICTURE
  
Boston College: The Eagles are getting plenty of offense with at least three players scoring in double figures every game.
  
La Salle: The Explorers have already found their go-to guy in Johnson, who is a transfer from Syracuse. The fifth-year senior has led the team in scoring four times.
  
UP NEXT
  
La Salle meets its second ranked team of the season, No. 11 Miami, on Wednesday.
  
Boston College hosts Colgate on Wednesday before ending the month with road trips to Providence and Nebraska.

Associated Press