Men’s Basketball: Terriers win back-and-forth contest against Army 75-74
By Joe Eachus
Following a back-and-forth matchup that featured 12 lead changes, the Boston University men’s basketball team defeated the Army Black Knights 75-74 Wednesday.
The Terriers (17-9, 8-5 PL) were led by senior swingman Walter Whyte’s season-high 21 points, while the Black Knights’ (13-12, 7-6 PL) efforts were driven by guards Josh Caldwell and Jalen Rucker, who each scored 19.
“It’s a game we can learn some things from going forward,” BU head coach Joe Jones said of the matchup. “It was more of a playoff-kind of game, in terms of the intensity and level of play.”
BU was efficient on the offensive end, shooting 50.8% from the field and 48% from three.
The game’s outcome was in question until the final second when fifth-year forward Sukhmail Mathon drew an and-one in the paint and sank the free throw after a shaky game at the line.
“I know my team needed me… some nights you’re just not going to make your free throws, but you’ve got to have a next-play mentality,” Mathon said.
The Terriers built as large as a nine-point lead in the second half with a 13-3 run, but Army was able to close the gap with an 8-2 run of its own.
“If we could’ve rebounded the ball better and not turned it over, it would’ve given us a chance to extend or keep that lead in the second half,” Jones noted.
BU lost the rebound battle 36-33 and committed 12 turnovers.
One of the unsung heroes of the matchup was sophomore guard Damon Tate, who added 12 points in 15 minutes. Tate came into the night averaging 10.2 minutes per game and 3.6 points per game and followed up his perfect shooting game against Lehigh last week with another stellar performance.
Jones was quick to praise Tate’s efforts — “I knew at some point he was going to get a shot… when you’re talented enough and you’re doing the right things, it’s always gonna come your way,” Jones said. “Without him the last two games, I don’t know if we win.”
The Terriers, now on a two-game win streak, host American on Saturday at the roof. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.