Nov. 15, 2008
Final Stats
BOSTON - Junior Corey Lowe's layup with 2.1 seconds remaining in regulation sent the Boston University men's basketball team to overtime against George Washington in both team's season opener, but the Terriers fell short, 63-58, on Friday night in front of 4,624 fans at Agganis Arena.
BU's defense put on a stout performance in the program's first game of its historic 100th season, enticing GW into 26 turnovers, the most recorded by an opponent since Ohio University committed the same number in the 2003-04 season. Furthermore, the 51 points in regulation posted by the Colonials was the fewest recorded by GW in the 17-game series. The previous low was 68, set in 1975 and 2002.
Unfortunately for the Terriers though, the offense was as cold as the ice under the court, as the team posted a 29.7 field goal percentage on 22-of-74 shooting, while the Colonials made 21 of their 46 attempts for 45.7 percent.
Despite the off night in shooting and an early 12-2 deficit at the 14:43 mark, BU remained resolute in avoiding a fourth-straight double-digit loss to the Atlantic 10 member. The only Terrier to shoot over 50 percent, junior Carlos Strong drained a three-pointer and then made a quick jumper in the paint at 7:05 to put the game into a 16-16 tie.
America East player of the game John Holland, who scored a game-high 22 points, gave BU its largest lead of the game with 1:11 remaining in the first when he used one of his patented dunks to put the game at 29-23. One made Colonial free throw prior to the half inched GW closer with a five-point deficit.
The Terriers maintained the lead for the first 13:50 in the second, until Wynton Witherspoon drained one from beyond the arc to give GW a brief 45-44 advantage that quickly dissipated when Holland copied him with one of his own just seconds later.
The game seesawed back and forth the final five minutes, but Noel Wilmore had the opportunity to put the game away for the Colonials with eight seconds remaining. Positioned perfectly for the long rebound off the missed three-point attempt, the athletic Lowe used his quickness to dash past his nearest competitor to make a layup with 2.1 seconds remaining to the delight of fans in attendance.
The Terriers carried the momentum over from the thrilling chain of events to take what seemed to be a commanding 56-51 lead at 3:47 when Holland scored another of his three-pointers. However, they would not make another field goal the rest of the game.
Still, BU found itself with a one-point lead after two free-throws by Strong at 1:22 and with the chance to extend its lead even further when junior Tyler Morris blocked a layup by Rob Diggs, but Travis King managed to grab the offensive rebound and keep the ball in GW's hands. Damian Hollis eventually made a field goal with 56 seconds remaining and then another at 17 following a Terrier turnover. All five of Hollis' points came in the extra stanza.
Witherspoon posted a team-high 13 points, while Diggs had the game's only double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Strong had 14 points for BU, and Holland along with Matt Wolff led the team with eight rebounds each. Forward Jake O'Brien gave fans a taste of what's to come, recording eight points with six rebounds and three key blocks. He became the first Terrier to start in his first career game since 2006, when juniors Brittain, Lowe and Morris started in their first contest, coincidently against George Washington as well.
Even with the disappointing loss, the night was one Terrier Nation will never forget, as the university recognized the 50th anniversary of the 1958-59 team that made history by becoming the first one to reach the NCAA tournament. Eight members of the 12-man squad that lost a tough 86-82 decision to future NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West and the West Virginia Mountaineers were on hand to witness the retiring of the No. 10 jersey belonging to the late Jack Leaman. Also on hand for the ceremony honoring the team's senior co-captain was his wife, Rita, and daughter, Laura.
Next up for the Terriers is their first trip to Bucknell on Tuesday (Nov. 18) with tipoff set for 7 p.m. in Lewisburg, Pa. Bucknell won the only meeting between the two teams, 63-57, in 2006 at the Cable Car Classic in Santa Clara, Calif.
