Boston University
Stella Azzurra Roma
Dieudonne Propels Terriers to 69-57 Win over Stella Azzurra
August 21, 2014 | Men's Basketball
Aug. 21, 2014
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CASCIA, Italy - Rising junior Nathan Dieudonne posted a double-double and sophomore Eric Fanning added 15 points off the bench to help the Boston University men's basketball team open its four-game schedule in Italy with a 69-57 victory over Stella Azzurra Roma on Thursday afternoon at the Hotel Roccaporena's Centro Sportivo in Cascio.
The member of Italy's second division opened with a basket, but the Terriers scored 19 unanswered points and took a commanding 22-8 lead after 10 minutes of action into the second quarter. The contest was played under FIBA rules.
Steulla Azzurra hit a buzzer-beating trey at the end of the second to pull within 10 (33-23) and eventually cut the double-digit deficit to five (33-28) with 6:10 remaining in the third quarter. However, after tallying eight points in the first quarter, Dieudonne scored five straight for the Terriers to ignite a 12-0 run.
BU never saw its lead cut below 10 points the rest of the game for the victory. With all 12 players in attendance participating in the contest, the Terriers shot 44.0 percent from the field and won the battle at the boards, 34-27.
Dieudonne was a perfect 8-of-8 from the field, including 3-of-3 in 3-point territory. Fanning shot 3-of-7 and went 8-of-8 at the charity stripe to finish as the second Terrier in double figures. Both Dieudonne and sophomore Cedric Hankerson contributed four steals apiece on the defensive end.
Making his first appearance for BU after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, sophomore Blaise Mbargorba recorded seven points and added a rebound with an assist in the post.
Stella Azzurra tried to mount a comeback behind six 3-pointers but could not overcome the 21 turnovers and BU's ability to reach the line. The Terriers attempted 34 shots against Stella Azzurra's 16 and finished with a 21-11 advantage in made free throws.
The team is based in Rome but has been holding its preseason training camp at the Hotel Roccaporena's facilities in Cascia, a small town up in the mountains.
The Terriers will next play a professional all-star squad, the Adriatic Tritons, on Saturday, Aug. 23, in Pessaro, Itlay.
