GAME NOTES: In the second semifinal of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, the Boston College Eagles clash with the West Virginia Mountaineers at Coliseo Roberto Clemente.

Boston College earned a surprising 69-65 victory over New Mexico in Thursday's opening round. The win was a nice recovery for the Eagles, who had fallen to Massachusetts (71-62) in their previous game.

West Virginia had a much easier time in the first round, as it ran past George Mason, 91-65. The win was the third in as many games for the Mountaineers, who defeated Monmouth (64-54) and Lafayette (83-56) to start the campaign.

The winner of this bout will challenge either Dayton or Connecticut in Sunday's championship game. The losers of each contest will collide as well.

The all-time series between these two squads is tied at 8-8. West Virginia won the most recent matchup with a 78-72 triumph during the 2005 Big East Conference Tournament.

Although both teams were sloppy with the ball, Boston College got the better of New Mexico. Each team turned the ball over 17 times, but the Eagles shot at a 47.3 percent clip, while holding the Lobos to 44.7 percent. The Eagles also enjoyed a 24-6 scoring edge from beyond the arc, and a 32-29 advantage on the glass. Olivier Hanlan was excellent in the win, scoring 20 points to go with six assists.

Hanlan has been the primary scoring option for the Eagles for a while now. He has maintained that status this season, averaging 18.3 points per game. He has done so while shooting 41.9 percent from the floor, including a 5-of-15 showing from 3-point range. Unfortunately, he also is responsible for a team- high 12 turnovers. Aaron Brown (16.3 ppg) is the next-best scorer on the roster, with Patrick Heckmann, who has 21 points combined in the first three games, next in line. Brown finished with 16 points on just 4-of-12 shooting against New Mexico, while Heckmann had 11.

West Virginia was dominant in just about aspect its win over George Mason. The Mountaineers forced 24 turnovers, which it traded in for 31 points, while owning a 43-33 edge on the boards. They could have been better when it came to shooting the ball, sinking only 44.4 percent from the floor, including a 9- of-26 showing from 3-point range.

Jonathan Holton scored 16 points and contributed seven rebounds and two blocks as well. Devin Williams (16 points, 10 rebounds) matched Holton in points and had a game-high in rebounds on top of that. Juwan State was subdued compared to last season yet again, finishing with 13 points and four assists. Elijah Macon came off the bench to net nine points, as did Gary Browne.

If the Mountaineers hope to defeat Boston College, they will need to shoot a better percentage, because it is unlikely the Eagles will turn the ball over as frequently as George Mason.