March 1, 2003

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CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) - Troy Bell scored 32 points and moved into second place on the Big East all-time scoring list as Boston College beat Miami 72-68 on Saturday.

Bell now has 1,335 points in conference play, 15 more than Seton Hall's Terry Dehere amassed from 1989-93. Bell needs 67 points in his final two games to reach Syracuse's Lawrence Moten, the conference's all-time scoring lead.

Bell topped the 25-point mark for the 11th consecutive game and helped the Eagles (16-9, 9-5) stay in contention for first place in the East Division of the conference, moving one-half game behind Connecticut.

Jermaine Watson added 17 points for Boston College, won their fifth straight and eighth out of their last nine.

James Jones scored 27 points for the Hurricanes (10-15, 3-11), who lost their fifth straight and seventh in their last eight games. Miami was without leading scorer Darius Rice, who sat out because of sprained ligaments in his right index finger.

The loss, coupled with Virginia Tech's win over Villanova earlier Saturday, dropped Miami to last place in the conference's East Division. The last-place finisher in each division fails to qualify for the Big East Tournament.

Jones hit two free throws to make it a three-point game with 47 seconds left, but Watson hit two free throws and Louis Hinnant made one of two to help Boston College hold on.

Bell went on a personal 12-0 run early in the first half to help give the Eagles a 37-23 halftime lead. And in the second half, Bell routinely made plays or hit shots to quell any momentum Miami was building.

Miami went on an 8-0 run to start the second half, but Bell connected on an off-balanced jumper while being fouled and completed the three-point play, increasing the Eagles' lead to nine.

After Jones' 3-pointer with 8:07 remaining capped a 7-0 Miami run, Bell drew a foul on a 3 and converted two of the free throws to extend the Eagles' lead to nine.

When the Hurricanes crept within five with 4:32 remaining, Bell drew multiple defenders and passed to Craig Smith, who hit both free throws after being fouled.

Boston College has now won six straight meetings with Miami.

The Eagles return to action on Tuesday, March 4 against Villanova. Game time is 7:30 p.m. in Conte Forum.