Two Boston College Players Arrested

Thursday, January 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BOSTON (AP) â€” Two Boston College basketball players faced charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon following a barroom brawl hours after the Eagles upset No. 10 Connecticut 85-68.

Forward Andrew Bryant, 18, a freshman from Dallas, and guard Kenny Harley, 22, a senior from New York, were charged early Thursday at a popular Boston College hangout.

Mariellen Burns, a Boston police spokeswoman, said a woman told police the fight began over a dispute about a bar stool she was saving for her boyfriend.

``An altercation ensued which apparently involved beer bottles,'' Burns said.

The players were charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, a beer bottle.

Brothers Stephen O'Connor, 22, and Michael O'Connor, 23, from Medfield, also were charged with assault and battery and being disorderly. They were treated for cuts.

Burns said witnesses told police the argument began when the girlfriend of Michael O'Connor, who is a Boston College student, tried to save a bar stool for him.

A Boston College player then allegedly pushed the woman on the head. Burns said she didn't know which player had pushed the woman.

``Michael O'Connor got into an argument with this person,'' she said. ``He was pushed to the ground and kicked. His brother, Stephen, saw what was happening and attempted to assist him.''

Burns said as many as five individuals who were identified by witnesses as members of the team were involved, but she said she didn't know if more people would be charged.

She also said it wasn't clear who started the fight: ``We don't know. That's up to the court to sort out,'' Burns said.

Stephen O'Connor was released on bail; Michael O'Connor remained in the hospital Thursday with multiple stitches in his head. The two players were being held in lieu of bail.

Arraignments were scheduled Thursday in Brighton District Court.