February 19, 2003

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College defeated Virginia Tech, 87-69, in men's BIG EAST Conference basketball action Wednesday night at Conte Forum. With the loss, Tech falls to 10-14 overall and 3-8 in conference action, while BC improves to 14-9 overall and 7-5 in BIG EAST play.

Boston College opened up a 15 point lead midway through the first half and never trailed in the game. The short-handed Hokies turned the ball over 22 times in the contest and BC attempted 15 more free throws than Tech.

Junior forward Bryant Matthews, who scored 23 points in the loss, was the only Hokie in double figures. Point guards Markus Sailes and Eric Branham each added nine points for Tech. The freshman Sailes dished out a career-high five assists in the game. The Eagles' Troy Bell led all scorers with 29 points and Craig Smith added 26 points for BC.

Tech played the game without its second, third and fourth leading scorers. Junior guard Carlos Dixon is out with a broken foot and senior center Terry Taylor (violation of team rules) and senior guard Brian Chase (family emergency) did not play in the game.

The Hokies continue this road swing on Saturday, as they travel to South Bend, Ind., to face Notre Dame at 1 p.m., in the Joyce Center