McLain, BC hold off pesky Duquesne

Good thing for Boston College that backup forward Akida McLain was excited about playing what looked to be an easy-as-could-be game against Duquesne in Pittsburgh. Until Craig Smith took over late in the game, McLain looked to be the only Eagles player very enthused about playing.

Smith scored 21 points and held off a late Duquesne comeback bid by scoring on three consecutive Boston College possessions, leading the No. 13 Eagles to an 81-69 victory Tuesday night, aided by McLain’s 17 points.

Sean Marshall added 13 points and Jared Dudley and reserve Tyrese Rice had 10 each to help the Eagles (9-2) win their third in a row, but it was McLain who got them going during a 16-4 run midway through the second half that built their lead to 15 points at 64-59.

McLain played high school basketball in suburban Pittsburgh and was cheered on by 30 family members and friends, who made themselves heard in the crowd of 1,791.

Duquesne (2-7), which lost earlier this season to Arkansas-Pine Bluff at home by nine points and to Youngstown State by 21, led late in the first half at 28-26 and was down only three points before McLain lifted the Eagles.

(20) Nevada 56, Norfolk State 46: At Reno, Nev., Marcelus Kemp scored eight of his game-high 15 points during a key stretch in the second half and Nick Fazekas added 14 to help the Wolf Pack overcome a cold shooting night to defeat the Spartans (2-9). Mo Charlo and Kyle Shiloh each had seven rebounds and Ramon Sessions seven assists for Nevada (9-1).

Pac-10

Scott Morrison had 15 points and six rebounds to lift Portland State to a 54-52 win over Oregon (6-6). Juma Kumara added nine points and eight boards for the Vikings (6-6), who have won four in a row.