Boston University
5-10
Maine
7-6
Maine Holds Off Men's Basketball, 65-52
January 2, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2011
ORONO, Maine - The Boston University men's basketball team cut a 17-point first-half deficit to one with nine minutes left in regulation, but Maine hit all eight free throw attempts in the final 70 seconds to hold on for the 65-52 victory Sunday afternoon at Alfond Arena.
Named BU's America East Player of the Game, junior Darryl Partin led all players with 20 points, while freshman D.J. Irving, senior John Holland and junior Patrick Hazel each had eight points. Junior Jeff Pelage recorded a team-high eight rebounds, as the Terriers (5-10, 0-1 AE) dropped the conference opener without the services of junior Jake O'Brien and freshman Dom Morris due to injury.
Troy Barnies earned America East Player of the Game honors by recording 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds along with three steals and three assists. Gerald McLemore and Terrance Mitchell contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively, to help the Black Bears improve to 7-6 (1-0 AE) on the season.
The two teams started the game slowly offensively with Raheem Singleton's 3-pointer putting Maine ahead, 15-8, with 10 minutes left in the first half. Following a layup by junior Matt Griffin, the Black Bears went on a 14-2 run capped by Alasdair Fraser's layup at 3:33.
Both Irving and Partin hit 3-pointers to help BU cut the deficit to 31-18 at the half, as the Terriers only went 6-of-24 from the field and were out rebounded, 22-13.
Partin though overcame the slow start and opened the second half with eight consecutive points off two made free throws and back-to-back 3-pointers. Holland then followed with a steal and slam dunk to draw within three, 31-28, with 16:15 remaining.
Mitchell's 3-pointer at 12:15 put Maine ahead 37-30, but both Partin and Holland hit 3-pointers to close the lead to just one. However, McLemore responded with a trey of his own and Barnies scored the Black Bears' next 10 points to move ahead, 50-40, with 5:49 left on the clock.
Holland drained a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, and the Terriers had three chances to move even closer but missed each field goal attempt. At 2:36, Mitchell pushed the lead back to 10, and the Black Bears hit their free throw shots down the stretch for the win.
Maine finished the game 22-of-52 (.423) and had a 39-29 advantage in rebounds, while the Terriers finished 16-of-50 (.320) and 10-of-23 (.435) from beyond the arc. BU ended with 18 turnovers against the Black Bears' 16.
Playing their fourth game in seven days, the Terriers will next host New Hampshire on Tuesday, Jan. 4, at 7:30 p.m. Comcast SportsNet will broadcast the game live from Case Gym.
