Terriers Host Bucknell Sunday Afternoon at Agganis
December 5, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 5, 2009
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BOSTON - Returning to Agganis Arena for the second of six scheduled games in the facility, the Boston University men's basketball team (2-6) hosts the Patriot League's Bucknell (4-5) on Sunday with tip-off set for 2 p.m. in the Bison's first-ever trip to the campus. Last year at Soljka Pavilion in Lewisburg, Pa., the Terriers trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half before rallying in the second to pull out a 71-68 victory in overtime.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early, as the first 300 in attendance will receive a BU Basketball metal water bottle. Also, starting at 1 p.m., fans will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with the 2004 and 2007 Red Sox World Series trophy, the 2008 Boston Celtics trophy and the 2009 BU Men's Ice Hockey NCAA Championship trophy.
Looking to snap a two-game losing streak, the Terriers are still trying to get in a rhythm offensively. While four men are scoring in double figures led by John Holland's 20.1 ppg, BU entered the week ranked 330th out of 334 schools with a 35.3 field goal shooting percentage. The team has made up for many of those missed points though by driving to the basket and drawing fouls. Led by Tyler Morris' 21 consecutive made shots at the charity stripe, BU has hit a solid 75.1 percent of its free throw attempts, which ranked 42nd at the start of the week.
Defensively, the Terriers have four men averaging at least four rebounds a game, with Carlos Strong recording 6.6 rpg and Holland close behind at 6.5 rpg. On Wednesday against No. 13 UConn, Jake O'Brien recorded his second career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, giving BU a total of four through eight games after tallying a total of four last season in 30 games. The 2009 America East Rookie of the Year has also blocked two shots in each of the last three games and already has 42 total, needing just 23 more to reach the top 10 in program history.
Also on a two-game losing streak, the Bison are concluding a difficult stretch in which they will play their third game in five days. Falling to Binghamton, 64-60, on Friday night, Bucknell could not replicate the energy from Wednesday's tough 104-98 overtime loss to defending Ivy League champion Cornell. The squad only hit six first-half field goals against the Bearcats and trailed by as many as 18 before using a barrage of 3-pointers in the second to cut the deficit to single digits.
Having wins over Delaware, Bryant, Wagner and St. Francis (Pa.), Bucknell has four players in double figures. Darryl Shazier leads the way with 13.1 ppg, 4.3 apg and 4.1 rpg, while Patrick Behan has a 11.0 ppg and team-high 5.8 rpg avreage. The Bison are hitting 43.4 percent from the field while holding opponents to 41.8 percent. They are also a good free throw shooting team at 74.9 percent.
In last year's game between the Terriers and Bison, Corey Lowe nailed a short jumper with 40 seconds remaining to break a 66-66 tie. Following a Bucknell turnover, Morris hit both free throws to seal the deal and tie the all-time series at one game apiece. Bucknell won the first meeting, 63-57, during the Cable Car Classic at Santa Clara, Calif.
Following the contest, the Terriers next hit the road for a Saturday, Dec. 12 meeting at Marist before going on a 10-day break to focus on exams.
