BANGOR, Maine – Clashing against former America East foe Maine for the first time in six years, Nia Irving put on a show in her homecoming, notching 20 points and nine rebounds to guide the Boston University women's basketball team to a 62-49 victory over the two-time defending AE champions.
 
Irving, a native of Lawrence, went 6-of-8 from the floor and 8-for-9 from the free throw line. Katie Nelson followed with 13 points and a team-high five assists. Sydney Johnson also reached double figures with 12 points, while Annabelle Larnard notched 11, all coming in the third quarter.
 
BU limited the Black Bears to 49 points, the lowest amount the Terriers have surrendered in the state of Maine in the 73-game series.

How It Happened

• Irving start the game off with six straight points to give BU a 6-2 edge three minutes in.
• Johnson connected on two straight fast break layups, pushing the lead to 10-5.
• BU's defense was suffocating in the opening frame, forcing five turnovers and holding Maine to shoot just 30.8 percent (4-for-13) as it eked out a 14-11 advantage.
• Irving stayed hot, delivering on a sneaky entry pass from Riley Childs to push the scoreboard to 18-11, to open the second quarter.
• The Black Bears started the find their shot, reeling off a 6-0 run to cut the lead to one with five minute left in the half.
• Irving and Nelson combined for all 10 points in the second frame, sending BU into the break with the upper hand, 24-18.
• Larnard notched five straight points before Nelson made it a 7-2 BU run to start the third, giving BU its first double-digit lead at 31-20.
• Larnard stayed red-hot from distance, connecting on all three of her 3-point attempts as part of an 11-point effort in the third, thrusting the Terriers in front, 46-31, heading into the final stanza.
• The duo of Irving and Nelson ignited the Terriers once again, combining for the first nine points of the fourth quarter.
• The Terriers closed out the game from the free throw line to earn 12-straight win against the Black Bears.

Game Notes

• BU held Maine to shoot just 1-for-11 from within the 3-point arc in the first half.
• The Terriers shot a blistering 69.2 percent (9-for-13) in the third quarter, marking its best shooting performance in a quarter this season.
• BU has outscored its opponents 43-24 in the third quarter over the past two games.

Up Next

• BU will close out its three-game America East road swing on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Albany.
• Opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.