Mitchell’s 15 points, 13 boards lead BC past Albany, 72-51

BOSTON (AP) — Steffon Mitchell scored 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and Boston College pulled away from Albany in the second half for a 72-51 victory on Tuesday night.

Jairus Hamilton scored 16 points and Julian Rishwain and Jay Heath each chipped in with 11 for the Eagles (6-5), who won their second straight game after finding out 6-foot-11 senior center Nik Popovic was lost indefinitely with a back injury.

Cameron Healy led Albany (5-6) with 13 points.

Heath nailed a pair of 3s as BC opened the second half by scoring 16 of the first 19 points, turning a one-point deficit into a 46-34 edge with just over 13 minutes to play.

Mitchell nailed a trey from the right corner as the shot clock expired, pushing the Eagles’ lead to 58-40 with just under nine minutes left.

The Great Danes never threatened the rest of the way.

With a non-marquee opponent, rainy weather and the students in finals, the crowd resembled nights at Conte Forum during a snowstorm.

BIG PICTURE

Albany: The Great Danes played at a pace that’ll give them plenty of shooting opportunities that could be challenging for league opponents in the America East Conference if they knock down their 3s a little more consistently. … Coach Will Brown’s next victory will be his 300th at Albany.

Boston College: The Eagles have a big void to fill with their third-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder Popovic sidelined. He was one of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s most improved players last season.

REMEMBRANCE

There was a moment of silence before the national anthem for former Boston College baseball player Pete Frates, who died Monday after a battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 34.

Frates helped inspire the ALS ice bucket challenge that has raised more than $200 million worldwide.

NICE STREAK

Healy, a sophomore guard, has played in 43 collegiate games and made at least one 3-pointer in all of them. Entering the night, it was the nation’s fourth longest streak.

AUSSIE CONNECTION

Three Great Danes’ players hail from Australia — Healy, Brent Hank, a 6-foot-10 center, and 6-8 forward/center Adam Lulka. They are all redshirt sophomores.

UP NEXT

Albany: Hosts Niagara on Saturday night.

Boston College: Hosts Central Connecticut on Sunday afternoon.

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For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and http://twitter.com/AP_Top25 .