BOSTON – Extending their home win streak to four games, the Boston University men's basketball team utilized another strong defensive performance to claim a 60-54 victory against American Wednesday Night at Case Gym.

Sophomore Michael McNair tallied a team-high 20 points and classmate Kyrone Alexader posted 15 points alongside a game-high seven rebounds to help the Terriers (8-8, 2-1 PL) rally from a nine-point deficit to defeat the Eagles (8-8, 1-2 PL). Over the final 20 minutes, BU shot 44.0 percent from the field and held AU to 29.6 FG%.

Matt Rogers was one of three Eagles to score in double figures with a game-high 22 points, while Elijah Stephens and Greg Jones combined for 23 points and 12 rebounds. AU went 5-of-11 in 3-point territory during the first half to grab a 30-21 lead but only managed to hit one trey off nine attempts during the final 20 minutes.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In a contest featuring nine lead changes and six ties,the teams went back-and-forth early in the game until Jones followed Rogers' driving layup with a 3-pointer to pull ahead, 17-12, at 10:20. 
• Rogers later completed a 3-point play with a hook shot and bonus free throw to extend AU's lead to 25-17 with 6:25 remaining in the half.
• Jones netted a pair of free throws after Stephens' second bucket from behind the arc to push the lead even further to 30-21 at 2:24.
• BU though was able to tie the game entering the locker room, 30-30, on two McNair 3-pointers and Alexander's trey with just two seconds remaining.
• Rogers retook the lead for the Eagles, 33-32, with their final 3-pointer at 18:04, but McNair came right back with one of his own thanks to Alexander's offensive rebound.
• After Rogers tied the game, 35-35, on two free throws a minute later, McNair grabbed the lead for good on a jumper.
• The Terriers extended their lead to 11 points at 8:17 (48-37) on senior Malcolm Chimezie's layup and four minutes later on McNair's putback off his own missed layup attempt for a 52-41 advantage.
• Facing a 55-46 deficit in the final minute, the Eagles hit a pair of free throws and took advantage of BU's missed 1-and-1 by finding Stephens for a layup at 32 seconds. 
• Starting the second half 2-of-7 at the charity stripe, BU sealed the win with five free throws off six attempts.

GAME NOTES

• McNair became the third Terrier to reach 20 points this season, as he came up just one point shy of his personal best set last season against Lehigh.
• Graduate student Miles Brewster helped BU with nine points and six rebounds, while junior Nico Nobili contributed a game-high four assists and six rebounds.
• BU outscored AU in the paint, 28-18, and on second-chance opportunities, 10-4, to reach .500 for the second time this season after starting 0-3.
• BU held its fourth straight opponent below 38 percent shooting after accomplishing the feat three times through the first 12 contests.
• BU has now faced a nine-point or greater deficit in six consecutive games, posting a 3-3 record with wins over American, Army and Maine.
• The Terriers improved to 16-9 all-time against the Eagles with their fourth straight win and fifth straight home victory in the series.

UP NEXT

• BU will hit the road again with a visit to defending Patriot League champion Colgate on Saturday (Jan. 11) at 2 p.m.
• The Raiders swept the series last season, earning a 75-59 home win and then a 74-64 victory at Case Gym.