Men's Basketball Hosts Quinnipiac Wednesday Night
December 27, 2010 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 27, 2010
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BOSTON - In a match-up between preseason conference favorites, the America East's Boston University men's basketball team hosts the Northeast Conference's Quinnipiac Wednesday with tip-off set for 7 p.m. at Case Gym. The Terriers (5-7) are coming off an 85-79 victory over Saint Joseph's, while the Bobcats (8-2) are riding a four-game win streak following an 88-63 win against Niagara.
BU received an emotional boost last Tuesday against the Hawks when junior Jeff Pelage made his first appearance of the season after missing the previous 11 games due to injury. The 6-foot-8 center showed off his size with seven rebounds and two blocks in just 10 minutes of action, while reigning America East Player of the Week Darryl Partin recorded 29 points. A junior transfer from La Salle, Partin has become BU's third scorer, averaging 12.5 ppg on the season and 21.3 ppg in the last three games.
A two-time First Team All-Conference honoree, senior John Holland posted 19 points in the same contest and now sits atop the conference rankings in scoring at 17.6 ppg. Junior Jake O'Brien added 11 and currently has 994 points, six away from becoming the 31st Terrier to reach the 1,000-point milestone. The two men along with Partin have helped the BU offense average 79.0 ppg over the last three games and shoot 43.2 percent from the field (47.9 3FG%).
BU earned its first win over the Hawks by getting to the free throw line with a season-high 31 trips and losing the ball a season-low seven times. The defense also came through with a 43-38 edge in rebounds. O'Brien had nine boards and now leads the team at 5.7 rpg, while Holland recorded eight to move within 10 of 600 career. Freshman Dom Morris and junior Patrick Hazel combined for 10 boards as well, while Partin recorded three of the team's seven steals.
The defense will face a tough task Wednesday against a Quinnipiac squad that is outscoring opponents by seven points and out rebounding teams by a 10 board margin. A 6-foot-7 power forward, Justin Rutty is averaging 15.9 ppg and 9.8 rpg. Guards James Johnson and Deontay Twyman are combining for 30.4 ppg and 7.5 apg to help the Bobcats earn wins over Mount St. Mary's, Lehigh, Rhode Island and Niagaga during the four-game win streak.
The Terriers are 18-12 all-time against the Northeast Conference and 1-0 against Quinnipiac after recording a 66-60 win in 2000 on a neutral court. BU represents the Bobcats' fourth America East opponent of the season after wins against Hartford and Maine. The lone loss occurred against Vermont.
Following the contest, the Terriers will hit the road for UMass on Friday (Dec. 31) at 2 p.m.
For more information or to purchase men's basketball tickets, please visit www.AgganisArena.com, call 617-353-GOBU (4628), or visit the Agganis Arena Ticket Office, located at 925 Commonwealth Avenue, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
