Jan. 19, 2012
Box Score
DURHAM, N.H. - Extending its win streak to a season-high five games behind a game-high 20 points from senior Darryl Partin, the Boston University men's basketball team grinded out a 52-50 victory at New Hampshire on Thursday night. Improving to 9-11 (5-1 AE), the Terriers move into a tie for first with idle Stony Brook and are off to their best start in the America East since 2004-05.
Named AE Player of the Game, Partin posted his 10th 20-plus performance of the season along with two steals, while sophomore D.J. Irving recorded 13 points and three assists. Sophomore Dom Morris and senior Patrick Hazel tallied seven and six rebounds, respectively, to help BU out-rebound UNH, 30-29.
Two Wildcats finished in double figures with Alvin Abreu recording 16 and Patrick Konan contributing 15. Chandler Rhoads posted five points, six rebounds and five assists, as UNH dropped to 6-11 and 1-5 in conference play.
Holding an opponent below 60 points for the third consecutive game and fourth time in five contests, the Terriers led 51-42 with 5:19 remaining before Abreu scored eight straight points to ignite a late charge. His third 3-pointer of the game cut the deficit to one (51-50) at 1:32.
In a contest that featured five ties and six lead changes, neither team scored on the next two possessions, and BU had the ball after a defensive rebound with 44 seconds remaining. Partin went for a challenging layup seconds before the shot clock hit zero and grabbed the offensive rebound, prompting an immediate foul with 10.7 seconds remaining in regulation.
Finishing 4-of-5 at the line, Partin hit his first but missed the second, leading to a frantic finish. Burning its last timeout in-between the two free throw attempts, UNH brought the ball up and found Konan at the top of the key off a pick and roll for a 3-point attempt. Hazel rushed with arms stretched out to put enough pressure on the sharpshooter that the ball was only able to hit glass. Standing in prime position, Irving grabbed the rebound to prevent any chance of a game-tying put back, as the buzzer sounded.
Konan finished the game 4-of-8 from behind the arc with the last missed attempt. UNH shot 50 percent in the second half to end the game 17-of-42 (.405) from the field and 10-of-26 (.385) in 3-point attempts.
BU went 22-of-53 (.415) and 3-of-9 (.333), respectively, and scored nearly half of its points (25) off 23 UNH turnovers. Committing 16 miscues, the Terriers dominated in the paint, recording 36 points against the Wildcats' 12.
Holding a 24-22 advantage at the half, BU went ahead, 32-25, with 17:14 remaining in regulation before UNH tied it with seven straight points. After Rhoads' layup at 15:30, Partin broke the deadlock with a tough layup and made free throw after the foul to give the Terriers the lead for good.
Avenging last year's 60-48 defeat at Lundholm Gymnasium, the Terriers improve to 94-37 in the all-time series. They will remain on the road and travel to Hartford on Sunday (Jan. 22) for a 4 p.m. tip-off.
