By the Numbers: Galloway’s Impact on BC
Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom)
Publisher
Brevin Galloway played hero for Boston College men’s basketball Saturday.
Crowded in the corner? Spotting up from the Clemson paw print logo? It didn’t matter. Galloway, still playing through discomfort in his left knee, was firing away—and cashing in—from deep.
Galloway’s back-to-back 3-pointers toward the end of the first half were the catalyst for the Eagles’ 23-point comeback. He was dangerous in the second period, too. The College of Charleston grad transfer added seven more points in the final frame, including the game-winning 3-pointer with 26 seconds left.
Galloway has missed seven games this season with his nagging knee injury (which stemmed from an ACL tear that threw a wrench in his 2020-21 campaign). Here’s a look at the difference he’s made for BC.
In the eight games the veteran guard has been in the lineup, the Eagles have…
-averaged 70.1 points per game
→ other seven games: 65.3
-shot 43.4% from the field
→ other seven games: 43.0%
-shot 34.6% from 3-point land
→ other seven games: 33.3%
-attempted 159 triples
→ other seven games: 99
-averaged 11.9 assists per game
→ other seven games: 11.7 assists per game
Galloway has poured in 18 points in each of BC’s last two games. And, in two of the Eagles’ last three matchups, he’s had a chance to tie things up or take the lead. At Pitt, Galloway missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer with 43 ticks remaining. He said after Saturday’s game at Clemson that he “learned from that opportunity.” In front of a hometown crowd, Galloway made his game-winning attempt count.
The Eagles had a play called, but Galloway was left open. He called for the ball, and the rest is history.
Galloway has attempted exactly 10 triples in each of BC’s last four games. Since returning from midseason surgery, his 3-point volume has increased. But he’s also shown a greater willingness to take the rock to the rim. He explained that his outside shot sets up his inside game, in large part because of his ball fake.
“My biggest thing is really just trying to find a rhythm,” Galloway said. “I feel like I’m still rushing things out there, but, at the same time, I’m just really trying to have fun with it. I’ve only got like 15-16 games left so I’m trying to make the most of each game.”
Even with restricted mobility, Galloway is giving BC a significant lift off the bench. Like against Notre Dame when he scored seven straight points to help the Eagles create some distance in the first half. Or last week versus Georgia Tech when he piled up 15 first-half points, including nine in the final 2:06 of the opening period, to help the Eagles enter intermission with a lead. And, of course, Saturday when he got BC’s wheels turning in Clemson before netting the biggest shot of his brief time with the program.
Galloway helps BC space the floor. He gives the Eagles—who rank 302nd nationally in 3-point point distribution percentage, according to KenPom—a much-needed boost from outside, keeping defenses honest.
And he’s an experienced leader who knows how to win.
“It’s tough bouncing back each day after a loss,” Galloway said Saturday. “So to be able to win for once feels really good and especially the circumstances and the situation. It was great for us and the program.”
