Boston University
4-7
Villanova
6-4
Villanova Defeats Men's Basketball, 68-43
December 13, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 13, 2011
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Playing in its final game before the exam break, the Boston University men's basketball team dropped a 68-43 decision to Villanova at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday night. With the loss, the Terriers drop to 4-7, while the Wildcats improve to 6-4.
Sophomore D.J. Irving led BU with 11 points and senior Patrick Hazel had a team-high five rebounds along with nine points.
The Wildcats featured three men in double figures. Mouphtaou Yarou had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Dominic Cheek provided a game-high 14 points off the bench, and Maalik Wayns tallied 10 points.
BU entered the locker room with a 26-23 lead at the half by holding the Wildcats to 18.2 percent shooting, but Villanova found its rhythm in the second half at 55.9 percent to pull away for the win.
The Terriers never trailed in the first half, jumping out to a 13-4 lead in the first five minutes behind two 3-pointers by Irving and a trey by sophomore Travis Robinson.
After sophomore Dom Morris' jumper gave BU the 22-14 advantage at 8:54, Yarou hit a reverse layup while being fouled. His made field goal would be the last of the half for Villanova, as the Wildcats missed their final 16 field goal attempts.
They clawed their way back into the game though by going 9-of-11 at the free throw line and holding BU scoreless in the final five minutes.
Trailing 29-25 with 18:10 remaining in regulation, Villanova pulled away by going on a 19-1 run. Senior Matt Griffin cut the lead to 11 (44-33) with a 3-pointer, but the Wildcats responded by reeling off six straight points.
BU finished the game shooting 17-of-56 (.304) while losing the rebound battle, 53-35. Villanova had 20 second-chance points and went 25-of-67 (.373) from the field.
Dropping to 1-2 this season against major conference opponents, the Terriers will next host defending Patriot League champion Bucknell on Thursday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. in Case Gymnasium.
