The road hasn't been kind to Boston University all season long and Thursday's night's tilt looked like it could be more of the same. After winning four in a row, including three straight games against top teams in the America East Conference, the Terriers trip to New Hampshire looked like the ultimate "trap" game. Senior guard Darryl Partin made sure that wasn't going to happen.
Partin led the Terriers with 20 points, including 13 in the second half to help Boston University (9-11, 5-1 AE) overcome New Hampshire (6-10, 1-4 AE) 52-50. He knocked down 7-of-19 shots, including two 3-pointers and knocked down 4-of-5 free throws to help the Terriers earn their season-high fifth straight win.
Sophomore point guard D.J. Irving added 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting and added a team-high three assists. Patrick Hazel added six points and six rebounds and sophomore forward Dom Morris chipped in four points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Senior guard Alvin Abreu nearly pulled out the victory for the Wildcats by himself. He scored eight consecutive points in a 76 second span to cut the Terrier lead to one but didn't get another shot in the final 1:30. Abreu finished with a team-high 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting. Sophomore forward Patrick Konan added 15 points and on four 3-pointers but also turned the ball over eight times.
Turnovers were a huge difference in the game, as Boston University turned 23 Wildcat turnovers into 25 points compared to just 16 Terrier turnovers.
Boston University connected on 42 percent (22-of-53) of their shots but only connected on three 3-pointers. The Wildcats managed just 17 made baskets (17-of-42 40 percent), but made up for it with their strong 3-point shooting. New Hampshire hit 10 threes for the game with five in each half. For the game, they connected on 38 percent of their attempts (10-of-26).
It looked like the Terriers might be able to blow the game open early when they jumped out to an 8-0 lead, but the Wildcats quickly responded with nine straight points. The rest of the first half was back-and-forth with neither team holding a lead of more than four points and Boston University grabbing a 24-22 halftime advantage.
Hazel and Partin both scored four early points in the second half to grab a 32-25 lead but the Wildcats found a way to respond to every Terrier advance. After the Terriers went on a 14-4 lead to open up a 46-43 lead with 9:40 to go, Abreu began the comeback. Abreu scored 11 of his 16 points in the final 10 minutes to will his team back into the game.
In the final 8:42 Abreu hit two 3-pointers, two layups and a free throw to outscore the Terriers 11-6. Unfortunately for the Wildcats they fell short in the final minute when they couldn't get Abreu an open look.
After Abreu scored points on four consecutive possesions to cut the Boston University lead to 51-50 with 1:30 to go, neither team would make a basket for the rest of the way. The teams traded misses and the Terriers even added a missed free throw on the front end of a one-and-one to lead to the final exciting 10 seconds. After being fouled with 10 seconds to go, Partin hit one of two free throws, giving the Wildcats a chance to win it regulation. Konan had a chance for his sixth 3-pointer of the night but his shot was off the mark, giving the Terriers just their fourth road win of the year.
Boston University will stay on the road, as they take on Hartford Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. EDT.