Boston University
4-2
LIU Brooklyn
1-4
Men's Basketball Rolls Past LIU Brooklyn, 72-57
November 24, 2013 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 24, 2013
Box Score | Irving's postgame comments
IRVINE, Calif. - Featuring four Terriers in double figures, the Boston University men's basketball team concluded the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project with a 72-57 victory over LIU Brooklyn at UC Irvine's Bren Events Center on Sunday afternoon.
Off to their best start though six games since 2008-09, the Terriers improve to 4-2, while the three-time defending NEC champion Blackbirds fall to 1-4.
Sophomore Maurice Watson was a near-perfect 7-of-9 from the field and finished with a team-high 16 points along with six rebounds, four assists and four steals. Sophomore John Papale drained four of BU's eight 3-pointers en route to 14 points, while junior Malik Thomas contributed 12 points off the bench. The Terriers won the battle at the boards, 38-30, behind senior Dom Morris' game-high 11 boards and shot 27-of-55 (.491).
Moving up in the BU career record book, senior D.J. Irving tallied 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds to earn All-Irvine Regional honors. He moved past Corey Lowe ('10) for the No. 5 slot in career assists with 415 and now ranks No. 22 all-time in points with 1,104.
Held to a season-low 57 points on 18-of-52 (.346) shooting, the Blackbirds were led by E.J. Reed's 21 points and eight rebounds. Landon Atterberry had 12 points and seven boards. Last year's NCAA leader in assists Jason Brickman recorded 12 helpers but was enticed into six turnovers by BU's tenacious defense.
Leading 17-16 with 10:24 remaining in the first half, Irving hit a jumper to ignite a 15-3 run over the next eight minutes. Papale's 3-pointer at 2:25 put BU ahead, 32-19, and the Terriers entered the locker room with a 37-23 advantage.
The Blackbirds hit back-to-back treys to cut the double-digit deficit to seven (49-42) with 12:11 remaining, but Thomas followed with a layup and 3-pointer to put the game out of reach.
LIU only had one more turnover than the Terriers, 13-12, but BU converted the miscues into 18 points while only allowing three. BU also finished with 11-9 edge in second-chance points.
Winning the first meeting between the two programs since 1992, the Terriers will next host St. Peter's on Saturday (Nov. 30) at 1 p.m.
