Men’s Basketball: Terriers Cage the Cougars

By: Chris Lynch

With an eye towards conference play beginning on Wednesday, Boston University welcomed Kean University to Case Gym with a strong defense and three point shooting game. BU closed out its non-conference schedule with a strong performance, beating the Cougars 86-53.

BU did not open the game well, as Kean took an 8-3 lead in the first few minutes of the game, with all eight points coming from Micah Kerr. After that run, BU outscored the Rams 36-10 for the rest of the first half and went into the locker room up by 21 points.

The second half was the strongest half of play by the Terriers so far this season. BU shot 62.5% from the field and held Kean to only 36.7% shooting in the half, and 33.3% shooting for the game. That marks the fifth consecutive game in which BU has held an opponent to under 40% shooting for the game. BU’s shooters got in on the action too, on 42.9% from three-point range, their fifth time reaching 40% or better on the season.

BU saw two of its players notch a double-double. Nick Havener collected his second double-double on the season when he tied a career high of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Eric Johnson also had a career-high 11 points and 10 assists. Some of the younger players also got in on the game. Freshmen Kamali Chambers and Brandon Johnson played extended minutes for the first time this season, and scored important baskets in the game. Chambers got his first six points as a Terrier, both of them coming from 3 point range, and Johnson was one of fiveTerriers to score double digit points with 11. That marks the first time since 2007 that two Terriers had double-doubles in the same game.

Kean played a scrappy game. Tommy Soulias scored a game high 19 points, and Kean blocked four BU shots and stole eight passes. They just didn’t have enough talent to overcome the Terriers. BU out rebounded the Cougars 45 to 22 and recorded a season high 29 assists to Kean’s 14.

BU dressed only nine players for today’s game. Two starters, Cedric Hankerson and Justin Alston, are gone for the season. Cameron Curry is also out for the year and Will Goff has missed considerable time. Cheddi Mosely also sat out the game with a stress fracture in his foot and Kyle Foreman sat out because of a bad ankle. Mosely and Foreman could have played, but they were sat to get rest before conference play begins. They will need to get healthy fast and avoid any more injuries if they want to return to the top of the Patriot League.

Ultimately, everyone on the team is happy with the day. With the win, BU finished the non-conference schedule with a winning record, going 7-6 outside the Patriot League for the first time since 2013. Eric Johnson’s first three pointer also marked the program’s 600th consecutive game with a made three pointer. That streak dates back to February 17,1996.

BU also won consecutive games for the first time this season. They also have momentum going into conference play. The Terriers’ first Patriot League game will be in Worcester against the Holy Cross Crusaders at 7pm.