Jan. 25, 2008

Box Score

BOSTON - The Boston University men's basketball team dropped a 70-57 decision to Vermont on Friday evening at Agganis Arena. Freshman John Holland (Bronx, N.Y.) and red-shirt sophomore Tyler Morris (Indianapolis, Ind.) each posted 13 points, while sophomore Carlos Strong (Portland, Maine) netted 11. BU falls to 5-14 overall and 2-5 in America East action, while the Catamounts improve to 10-9 overall and 5-2 in league play.

The teams stayed together early before Vermont strung out a nine-point lead 10 minutes into the game. Boston University fought and came back to take a 25-24 lead at the half, helped along by shooting 10-for-12 from the free throw line (83.3 pct.). BU and UVM exchanged baskets in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Catamounts took the lead for good at 15:52 on a three by Mike Trimboli. The Terriers cut the advantage to three, 52-49 at 5:46, but Vermont held on for the win.

Holland earned America East Player of the Game honors for BU, while Marqus Blakely led all scorers with 17 points and a personal-best 18 rebounds to receive Vermont's AE Player of the Game award.

The first half was a low-scoring affair, with both teams combining for 16 points at 11:54. Vermont extended its lead, 17-8, with a modest 7-2 run, but the Terriers clawed back to within one, 19-18, after a jumper by Strong, and took their first lead of the game, 20-19, on a pair of Valdas Sirutis (Gargzdai, Lithuania) foul shots at 4:15.

BU clung to a slim two-point edge, 33-31, with 16:01 to go in the game before Trimboli hit his triple to give the Catamounts the lead back. UVM ran out to 45-36 on a Blakely lay up; however, the Terriers again mounted a comeback, aided by a pair of Catamount technical fouls. BU trimmed the advantage to three twice, 50-47 and 52-49, on a pair of jumpers by Morris and Holland. But UVM's Nick Vier answered with a 3-pointer, and Boston University wasn't able to threaten again.

The Terriers return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at Maine at 7:30 p.m.