Box Score | Highlights

BOSTON - Holding its fourth straight opponent below 40 percent shooting, the Boston University men's basketball team held off a late New Hampshire charge and claimed a 78-74 victory on Monday night at Case Gym.

With three Terriers reaching double figures, BU improves to 6-6, including 4-0 against the America East, while the Wildcats fall to 7-5.

Freshman Kyle Foreman led the Terriers with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists, while junior Eric Fanning recorded a game-high 18 points. Senior John Papale scored all 13 of his points in the second half, as BU finished the game 26-of-47 (.553), including 8-of-17 (.471) from behind the arc. Junior Blaise Mbargorba helped the defensive effort with a personal-best four blocks.

Both teams had a quick turnaround after playing on Saturday with BU falling at Canisius by 16 and UNH posting a 20-point home victory against Dartmouth. The Wildcats also had momentum from shooting above 50 percent three times in the last five games. Despite having five men reach double figures, they could never get into a groove against BU's swarming defense and finished 25-of-64 (.391).

Ronnel Jordan tallied a team-high 16 points, while Daniel Dion had 13 after earning 23 last season at home in a 75-68 win against BU. Iba Camara nearly had a double-double with eight points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Jaleen Smith (11 pts.), Jacoby Armstrong (11 pts.) and Tanner Leissner (10 pts.) were the other three in double figures.

The first half was a see-saw affair with seven ties and five lead changes. Tallying a season-high 24 turnovers at Canisius, BU committed five in the first five minutes of the game but still managed to keep the game close by opening the game 8-of-10 from the field. 

UNH took its largest lead at 11:43 (17-13) following back-to-back jumpers by Leissner and Smith. Sophomore Eric Johnson responded with a 3-pointer to ignite a 7-0 spurt capped by two Cheddi Mosely free throws at 9:27. 

After both teams hit a 3-pointer, senior Nathan Dieudonne broke the 27-27 tie at 5:29 with a free throw to give BU the lead for good. Fanning's jumper and free throw pushed the advantage to seven (35-28) four minutes later, but Dion hit a pair of treys to cut the deficit to one.

Foreman scored BU's final four points to give the Terriers the 39-36 halftime lead. BU shot an impressive 61.9 percent from the field but only had 21 attempts compared to UNH's 35 due to 10 turnovers.

The Terriers cleaned up their act in the second with just two miscues in the first 17 minutes of action. Junior Dylan Haines opened with a 3-pointer, and Papale drained his second of the half at 9:26 to give BU its largest lead (62-49) of the game.

His fourth and final trey put BU ahead 67-58 with 5:58 remaining. Fanning hit a pair of free throws at 2:08 to keep the margin the same, 73-64. UNH though kept the game close by continuing to get to the free throw line and draw foul outs from both Dieudonne and sophomore Nick Havener.

With UNH pressing, Armstrong earned a pair of steals after hitting two free throws at 1:56 and cut the deficit to 74-72 with 57 seconds remaining on Jordan's layup. After Papale and Armstrong exchanged layups, Fanning went 1-of-2 at the line at 16 seconds to give BU the 77-74 advantage.

The Wildcats were looking for the game-tying 3-pointer but Dion took a wild shot while guarded by Fanning. Haines grabbed the rebound and sealed the game with a free throw for the victory.

Neither team shot well from the line, as UNH finished 19-of-30 (.633) compared to BU's 18-of-28 (.643) performance. The Wildcats were out-rebounding opponents by 5.3 rpg and were limited to just 13 boards in the first half. In the second stanza though, they recorded 24 rebounds to outscore BU in second-chance points, 16-6, while also earning a 15-6 advantage in points off turnovers to keep the game close.

BU though showed resolve down the stretch to return to .500 and will take the rest of the week off before hosting Kean on Monday (Dec. 28) at 3 p.m. The game is part of a doubleheader, as women's basketball will first host Vermont at 1 p.m.