Boston University
8-9, 1-3PL
Lafayette
4-11, 1-3PL
Terriers Shut Down Lafayette, 68-47
January 9, 2016 | Men's Basketball
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BOSTON - Highlighted by its highest rebound total in 17 years and junior Eric Fanning's season-high 22 points, the Boston University men's basketball team rolled to a 68-47 home victory over Lafayette on Saturday afternoon.
Snapping a three-game losing streak with their 10th different lineup of the season, the injury-plagued Terriers improve to 8-9 (1-3 PL), while the defending Patriot League champion Leopards fall to 4-11 (1-3 PL) after being held to their lowest point total of the season.
Fanning went 8-of-15 from the field and added seven rebounds to lead the Terriers, while senior Nathan Dieudonne collected his second double-double of the season with 11 points and game-high 11 rebounds. Three-time PL Rookie of the Week Kyle Foreman had another impressive performance behind 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Junior Blaise Mbargorba came off the bench for a season-high 10 points and six rebounds, and sophomore Nick Havener hauled in a career-tying 11 rebounds to help BU post 55 rebounds, the program's most since tallying 60 against Vermont on Jan. 22, 1999.
The Leopards entered the contest averaging 74.6 ppg and coming off a strong 76-73 road win against an Army West Point squad that previously defeated media darling Monmouth. They could never get into any rhythm against the energized Terriers' defense and only made four field goals off 29 attempts (.138) to face a 26-11 halftime deficit. Led by Monty Boykins' 10 points, Lafayette finished 16-of-56 (.286) and were outscored in the paint, 34-12.
BU had faced (and erased) double-digit first-half deficits in each of the last two games and came out with a purpose to prevent that from happening a third time. The Terriers never trailed against the Leopards and jumped out to a 14-2 lead at 10:41 on a fastbreak dunk by Fanning, who six minutes later extended the lead to 22-5 on another fastbreak bucket.
Lafayette's five starters were held scoreless in the first 20 minutes of action on a combined 0-of-16 shooting. The Leopards managed to keep the deficit below 20 points by forcing 11 BU turnovers and limiting the Terriers to 38.5 percent shooting.
BU limited the miscues to just five in the final 20 minutes and shot 44.7 percent to hold off any potential rally. The Terriers extended the lead above 20 points for the first time at 12:32 (46-25) on a Fanning 3-pointer and led by as many as 27 (59-32) at 6:13 on a 3-point play by Dieudonne.
The Terriers will next hit the road and visit American on Wednesday (Jan. 13) at 7:30 p.m.
