PHILADELPHIA (12/9/03) - Delonte West scored a game-high 27 points and Jameer Nelson became Saint Joseph's all-time leader in assists as the 12th-ranked Hawks defeated previously unbeaten Boston College, 67-57, at The Palestra. Saint Joseph's runs its record to 6-0 while the Eagles fall to 6-1. West scored 15 points in the second half and had eight in a stretch that saw the Hawks increase a 36-31 lead to 47-35. That run ended with a traditional three-point play as West converted a layup and the free throw at 13:33. The play was also significant because it was Nelson's fourth assist of the game, giving him a school -record 581 for his career, breaking the mark of 580 set by Rap Curry from 1990 to 1994. "His distribution of the ball is just extraordinary," said Hawk coach Phil Martelli of Nelson. "He knows what his team needs and knows where to put the ball. But the most important number to him is that we scored more points than the opponent. Any recognition or award he gets, he deserves." BC cut the Hawks' lead to 47-39 on 4-of-6 free throw shooting, but Saint Joseph's answered back with an 8-1 run keyed by two steals and four points from Tyrone Barley. Back-to-back three-pointers by West and Nelson put the game out of reach, with the Hawks holding a 63-46 lead with under five minutes to play. The Hawk defense, and especially junior John Bryant ,stifled Boston College's high scoring forward Craig Smith. Smith was limited to just two points, more than 14 under his average (16.8). The Hawks also forced BC into shooting just 1-for-9 from 3-point range (11.1 percent). "You've got to give credit to John Bryant for the job he did on Craig Smith. Smith was the second best freshman in the Big East last season behind Carmelo Anthony and John held him to just one field goal," said Hawk coach Phil Martelli. In the first half, Boston College trailed by only three, 19-16, as the Hawks went for three minutes without scoring. Barley broke the string with a three-pointer and SJU used a 15-4 run to build the lead back up to 34-20 with 1:52 left in the half. In what has become a typical play for the Hawks this year, SJU ended the half scoring at the buzzer, on a short jumper by West. West had a solid all-around game, grabbing nine rebounds to go with five assists. Nelson added six rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Pat Carroll scored 10 points in just 19 minutes due to foul trouble and Barley added 13 points. Jared Dudley led Boston College with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Uka Agbai and Steve Hailey each chipped in 11 points. The Hawks' 6-0 start matches that of last year's squad that went 7-0 before suffering a loss to Pacific. Saint Joseph's takes a short break for final exams before returning to the Palestra for the third straight game, visiting Drexel on Sunday, December 14 at noon.