Boston College (1-3) squeaked out a very close win over FAU (1-3) during a tight game in which the Owls gave a very encouraging effort.

True freshman point guard Marquan Botley made his first start of the year and former walk-on Richard Morrow, a shooting guard, replaced Jackson Trapp in the starting lineup.

The changes paid dividends early, as the Owls shot a terrific 48 percent from the floor in the first half. The defense left much to desired, though, as FAU surrendered 50 percent shooting to the Boston College Eagles in the first half.

A half-court buzzer beater by sophomore guard Joe Rahon to extended the Boston College lead to five (39-34) just before halftime. Senior team captain Pablo Bertone and Justin Raffington had nine points each for FAU.

Boston College would start the second half with a 9-4 run to stretch the lead to 58-48, and FAU Head Coach Mike Jarvis was forced to call an early timeout in an attempt to stem the tide.

The lead would grow as large as 13, but the Owls managed to climb back thanks largely in part to a phenomenal game by Bertone. His 27 total points is a new career high.

Raffington managed to earn his first double-double as an Owl after a 15 point, 11 rebound effort.

The standout games from Bertone and Raffington were overshadowed by a game-high 37 points from Boston College guard Oliver Hanlan. The Quebec native converted a 3-point play with 3:50 on the clock that must have been a psychological backbreaker for the Owls, who had just cut the lead to one.

Boston College hit eight shots from long range to the Owls’ four, and the close win is their first of the season.

FAU heads to Detroit to play the University of Detroit Mercy basketball team on Nov. 22. The Owls are now 1-3, but the game versus a superior Boston College team reveals that this Owl team may have a higher ceiling than many may have thought.