NEWTON, Mass. (Interstat) — A dominant second-half surge propelled Boston College to a 67-63 victory over New Haven in a non-conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Silvio O. Conte Forum.

The Eagles, who trailed by 10 points at halftime, outscored the Chargers 44-30 after the break to erase the deficit and secure the win in front of 4,064 fans. The victory evened both teams’ records at 5-5 on the season.

The game’s pivotal shift occurred early in the second half, fueled by the backcourt duo of Fred Payne and Luka Toews. After a first half where Boston College managed only 23 points and shot poorly, the Eagles opened the second period on a 12-2 run to tie the game. Payne, a guard from Grambling, Louisiana, scored seven points during that burst, including a 3-pointer that knotted the score at 35-35 just over three minutes into the half.

New Haven, which had controlled the first half with disciplined play and led 33-23 at the break, suddenly found itself in a dogfight. The Chargers’ offense, which had flowed through Andre Pasha and Jabri Fitzpatrick in the opening period, grew stagnant against a revitalized Boston College defense. The Eagles forced eight second-half turnovers and began converting in transition.

Payne finished as the game’s leading scorer with 18 points, adding four rebounds and two assists. His backcourt mate, Toews of Tokyo, Japan, provided a critical spark off the bench with 12 points, including two key 3-pointers during the comeback. Donald Hand added 13 points for the Eagles, and forward Jason Asemota of Lynn, Massachusetts, contributed eight points, seven rebounds and two blocks, providing essential interior energy.

For New Haven, the loss wasted a strong first-half performance and a near double-double from forward Stefano Faloppa. The 6-foot-9 junior from Portogruaro, Italy, posted 10 points and nine rebounds. Jabri Fitzpatrick led the Chargers with 16 points and six rebounds, while Najimi George scored 14 and Andre Pasha added 13 points and six boards.

The first half belonged entirely to the visitors. New Haven opened the game with a 7-0 run, capped by an Andre Pasha 3-pointer, and never relinquished the lead before halftime. Their defense harassed Boston College into rushed shots and 10 first-half turnovers, while their own ball movement generated open looks. The Chargers’ lead ballooned to as many as 12 points before settling at the 10-point halftime margin.

Boston College’s comeback was methodical. After tying the game, they took their first lead since 0-0 on a pair of free throws by Chase Forte with just under eight minutes remaining in the game, making it 49-48. The teams traded blows down the stretch, with New Haven tying the game at 58-58 on a Jabri Fitzpatrick jumper with 2:42 left.

The Eagles responded with the decisive sequence. On the ensuing possession, Donald Hand drilled a 3-pointer from the wing, assisted by Toews, to put Boston College ahead for good at 61-58. After a New Haven miss, Jayden Hastings of Orlando, Florida, secured an offensive rebound and was fouled, sinking two free throws to extend the lead to five. Hastings finished with seven points, five rebounds and two blocks.

New Haven had chances in the final minute, cutting the deficit to two points on two occasions, but Boston College sealed the game at the free-throw line. Hand and Payne combined to hit five of six free throws in the final 24 seconds to close out the four-point win.

The Eagles’ second-half offensive explosion contrasted sharply with their opening period, as they shot 50% from the field after halftime after a sub-30% first-half performance. New Haven, which had shot efficiently in building its lead, cooled considerably in the face of increased defensive pressure.

Both teams return to action Wednesday. Boston College travels to face state rival Massachusetts, while New Haven visits NJIT.