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BOSTON - Led by junior Eric Fanning's game-high 19 points and sophomore Nick Havener's first career double-double, the Boston University men's basketball team cut a 17-point deficit to three with one minute remaining in regulation but ultimately came up short to Harvard, 75-69, on Tuesday night at Case Gym.

With the help of Corey Johnson's six 3-point daggers, including what proved to be the final blow at the 32-second mark, the Crimson improves to 3-6, while the Terriers drop to 3-5.

For the third time this season, Havener posted career highs in both points (18) and rebounds (11) to earn his first-ever double-double while adding two steals. Fanning went 7-of-10 from the field off the bench to reach double figures for the first time this season. Senior Justin Alston added 10 points and six rebounds, as BU won the battle at the boards, 35-30.

The final difference in the contest proved to be in the teams' perimeter game. BU entered the contest averaging 9.4 made treys but was coming up against a Harvard defense that was holding opponents to 28.6 percent shooting. Johnson went 6-of-11 from behind the arc and helped the Crimson limit the Terriers to a 4-of-17 performance (.235) with senior John Papale hitting two in the final 2:30.

Zena Edosomwan led Harvard with nine points, 13 rebounds and three steals, while Agunwa Okolie (15 points), Evan Cummins (10 points) and Patrick Steeves (10 points) all reached double figures in points. Tommy McCarthy recorded seven points and dished out a game-high five assists, as Harvard finished with 19 helpers against just 10 turnovers.

Johnson opened the contest with a 3-pointer, and Havener responded with a layup in the start to cut the early deficit to one. The Terriers would never get any closer, however, as Johnson responded with two more treys to ignite a 12-2 run capped by McCarthy's jumper at 13:06.

He drained his fourth 3-pointer to extend the lead to 31-14 at 6:38. Harvard eventually entered the locker room with a 35-21 advantage after the Terriers shot 0-of-7 from behind the arc while committing 11 turnovers.

In the second half, the Terriers mounted numerous charges, but Harvard always had a response. Havener hit a jumper and combined with Alston to hit four free throws to pull BU within eight (35-27) at 18:02. Fanning eventually put the deficit at seven (42-35) four minutes later, but Johnson drained his fifth 3-pointer of the game.

Following Fanning's two free throws at 11:07, Evan Cummins had a dunk and McCarthy hit the 3-pointer to push the lead back to 13 (56-43). Patrick Steeves added another at 6:48 to pull ahead, 63-49.

Junior Dylan Haines helped ignite BU's final charge, a 16-5 run, with a 3-pointer in response. Papale's treys at 2:13 and 58 seconds put the deficit at three (68-65). Harvard called a timeout, and McCarthy found Johnson in the corner for the back-breaking 3-pointer.

Steeves drained the last four free throws, as BU missed two 3-point attempts, to seal the victory.

BU finished with just three second-half turnovers and shot 51.5 percent from the field but was unable to overcome the slow start to the contest to suffer back-to-back losses for the first time this season.

After the quick visit to home, the Terriers will embark on a three-game road trip, starting at UMass Lowell on Thursday (Dec. 10) at 7 p.m.