Men’s Basketball: Scoring surge gives BU Quarterfinal win

By Hannah Yoshinaga 

The Boston University men’s basketball team’s offense erupted in its 76-64 win against Loyola Maryland on Thursday night in the Patriot League Tournament Quarterfinals, advancing the Terriers to the semifinal round for the second time in three years.

As a whole, BU shot 63.8% from the floor and 42.9% from deep. The Terriers’ three All-Patriot League selections — graduate guard Javante McCoy, graduate center Sukhmail Mathon and senior forward Walter Whyte — combined to score 62 of the team’s 76 total points.

McCoy finished with a team-leading 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting, and Whyte added 19 after going 8-for-10. Patriot League Player of the Year Mathon recorded another double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, his 17th of the season.

Though playing a smaller role in the offense overall, senior guard Jonas Harper and senior forward Fletcher Tynen each helped to coordinate the Terriers’ scoring with four assists apiece.

BU also maintained an advantage on the boards, where it led Loyola in rebounding 28-19.

The Greyhounds also had an above-average night on the offensive end, shooting 47.3% from the floor, but it wasn’t enough to move forward past the Terriers — who currently own a 10-1 advantage in home games against Loyola.

Greyhounds guard Cam Spencer, a fellow All-PL First Team honoree, led all scorers with 28 points on 11-of-20 shooting. Guards Kenneth Jones and Jaylin Andrews also hit double-digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

BU and Loyola traded buckets throughout the beginning of the first half, with the Greyhounds holding a lead nearly 12 minutes into the period. However, a 10-2 run by the Terriers gave them nearly a double-digit lead and they entered the break with a 37-28 advantage.

The Greyhounds never led again as BU built on its lead throughout the half. Loyola cut its deficit to single digits once again six minutes into the period, but the Terriers scored two quick baskets to get comfortably back in front.

BU led by as many as 16 points before the game came to a close.

With the win, the Terriers advance to face the No. 2 Navy Midshipmen — who swept them in both of their regular-season matchups this year. BU and Navy face off at Alumni Hall on Sunday at 4 p.m., with the winner taking on either No. 1 Colgate or No. 4 Lehigh in the conference finals.