EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — With a broken jaw, it would have been tough for Ryan Sidney to announce his return. Instead, the Boston College guard let Seton Hall know with his play.
The 11th-ranked Eagles returned from a nine-day layoff Monday with an 81-66 victory over Seton Hall to open defense of their Big East title, and a rested Sidney was a big part of it.
The sophomore has had his jaw wired shut since he broke it in practice in early December. He hasn't missed a game since it happened but he has been in considerable pain, and his scoring average has dropped six points from the 21.3 it was at when he was injured.
"I wasn't trying to take it out on them but it's just been tough thinking what it was going to be like to play with the jaw," Sidney said.
Kenny Walls had 20 points for the Eagles and Troy Bell added 18 in a foul-plagued 27 minutes. Sidney, the third member of the perimeter trio for Boston College (12-1) had 15 points and made the plays that allowed the Eagles to pull away.
Seton Hall (7-6) got within 60-54 on a jumper by freshman John Allen with 5:32 to play. Sidney hit the Eagles' only 3-pointer of the second half with 5:01 left to make it 63-54.
He then blocked Andre Barrett's short jumper, took off with the ball and found Walls with a lob pass on the break for a 65-54 lead with 4:26 left, and the Pirates never got closer than eight points the rest of the way.
"Those are the plays that are typical of him. It was a big lift for us," Boston College coach Al Skinner said.
No. 18 Alabama 76,
Florida A&M 52
Tuscaloosa, Ala. Kenny Walker scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Alabama. The Crimson Tide (11-2) charged to an early 17-5 lead with Walker scoring nine points and led 42-20 at halftime. Rod Grizzard scored 16 and Terrance Meade added 12. Demarcus Wilkins scored 14 points for Florida A&M (1-9).
No. 22 Gonzaga 83,
Saint Joseph's 80
Philadelphia Dan Dickau hit a 3-pointer with 3.6 seconds remaining to lead No. 22 Gonzaga to its ninth straight victory. Dickau shot 9-for-18 from the field, including 5-for-8 from 3-point range, for 25 points.
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