Men’s Basketball: BU Turns Over Defeat to Canisius

By: Chris Lynch

When BU held the ball on the last possession of the first half and John Papale turned the ball over without BU getting a shot off, BU went into halftime down by 19 points. Their performance was symbolized by that bad turnover, and they never fully recovered. BU did cut into Canisius’ lead in the second half, but only got the difference to as small as eight. When the game ended, BU stood humbled in Buffalo, at a score of 84-68.

There were a few bright spots on the game. John Papale shot 50% from three point range and scored 16 points on the game, and Eric Fanning led the team in scoring and in rebounds, with 18 points and seven boards. BU also shot almost 60% from the field in a second half charge that made the game close. In fact, BU had a much better percentage from the field for the game than the Golden Griffens, 52.2% to 39.0%. BU also blocked six shots to Canisius’s 3, and out scored the Golden Griphens in the paint.

So what cost BU the game?

They couldn’t stop Canisius on defense, specifically Phil Valenti and Malcolm McMillen, who scored 21 and 20 respectively. It’s the first time BU has allowed multiple 20 point scorers on the season.

BU was also out rebounded on the game 41-28 and out assisted and out scored from the three point line.  BU committed 31 fouls as a team, with two players (Nick Havener and Nathan Dieudonne) fouling out, and with head coach Joe Jones being ejected after a double technical with under two minutes to go in the game.

The most troubling statistic, however, is the turnover statistic. Both teams played a messy first half, but BU executed plays more sloppily than Canisius, turning the ball over 16 times in the first half to Canisius’ eight. BU turned the ball over 24 times on the game, compared to only dishing out 11 assists for the game. Canisius did not play mistake free either, but they only committed 16 turnovers, the same number that BU put up in the first half, for the entire game.

BU is sure to want to forget about this game, and move on to new match ups. They will have a chance to do so on Monday, when the team returns home to take on the University of New Hampshire Wildcats at Case Gym at 7 PM.