Elijah Strong delivered an impressive performance, scoring 25 points and securing 13 rebounds, while Donald Hand Jr. contributed 17 points as Boston College edged past Temple with a final score of 72-69 on Friday night.

Chad Venning added 10 points for Boston College, who improved their record to 2-1, achieving a historic victory over the Owls, marking the first time the Eagles have defeated Temple in their program’s history.

For Temple, Jamal Mashburn Jr. led with 23 points, and Steve Settle III added 15 points, with Elijah Gray coming off the bench to contribute another 10 points, bringing Temple’s record to 3-1.

With just nine seconds left in the game, Chas Kelley III made one of two free throws, establishing the final points of the match. As the clock wound down, Mashburn attempted a contested three-pointer to tie the game; however, he was unable to convert, sealing the win for Boston College.

Mashburn managed to nail a three-pointer with 17 seconds remaining, reducing the deficit to one point at 70-69. Earlier, Strong had hit a jumper that put the Eagles ahead 70-66 just seconds prior.

Strong’s crucial three-point play at 5:06 in the second half established a lead for Boston College that they maintained for the remainder of the game, overcoming their previous 0-4 record against Temple.

The matchup marked a significant moment as it was the first meeting between these two teams in over two decades, kicking off a two-year home-and-home series.