Men's Basketball Visits La Salle Thursday Night
December 28, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 28, 2011
Watch | Listen | Live Stats | Game Notes
BOSTON - Visiting the city of Philadelphia for the third time this month, the Boston University men's basketball team will make its first-ever trip to La Salle on Thursday night with tip-off slated for 7 p.m.
The Terriers (4-8) are 0-2 in Philly with losses to Saint Joseph's (75-68) and Villanova (68-43). Their last road win came at Boston College (75-61) back on Dec. 3. Leading the BU offense is senior Darryl Partin, who is averaging 20.8 ppg on the season. Sophomore D.J. Irving is the second player averaging double figures at 12.6 ppg along with 4.9 apg.
On the defensive end, classmate Patrick Hazel is averaging 6.4 rpg and 1.8 bpg. Recording a block against Bucknell last Thursday, he moved into a tie for fifth-place all-time in the program record book at 85 with senior Jake O'Brien, who is redshirting this season. Sophomore Dom Morris has also been a key contributor on the defensive end, averaging 5.7 rpg. He posted a career-high 15 boards at Cornell back in November.
The Explorers (8-4) are a perfect 5-0 at Tom Gola Arena with wins over Bucknell, James Madison and Northeastern. They are riding a seven-game home win streak dating back to last year. Splitting a two-game road trip last week, La Salle is shooting 46.4 percent from the field and an impressive 40.7 percent in 3-point territory.
A 6-foot-8 forward, reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week Jerrel Wright averaged 16.0 ppg and 8.5 rpg and scored a game-high 21 points in an 85-59 win at Central Connecticut State. Guard Ramon Galloway leads the Explorers in scoring at 15.0 ppg, while fellow guard Tyreek avreages 12.1 ppg and 4.4 apg to help La Salle average 74.8 ppg a game.
The Explorers mark the third Atlantic 10 opponent this season for the Terriers, who previously won at Rhode Island and lost at Saint Joseph's. La Salle owns a 2-1 advantage over BU after eeking out an 84-81 win at Agganis Arena last year. The two squads first met in the opening round of the 1983 NCAA tournament at the Palestra with the Explorers earning a 70-58 victory.
Following the game, BU will remain on the road with a trip to Quinnipiac on Saturday (Dec. 31). NESN will televise the game starting at 12 p.m.
