Men’s Basketball: Terriers fall in a thriller at Bucknell

By Kaan Oguz

Boston University Terriers Men’s Basketball (8–15, 3–7 PL) fell to the Bucknell Bison (7–16, 4–6 PL) 103–97 in double overtime on the road Saturday night and got their fifth loss in their last six games in Patriot League action.

Boston University came out composed on the offensive end, trading baskets early and settling into a rhythm built on ball movement and spacing. The Terriers generated quality perimeter looks and consistently attacked off the dribble, allowing them to stay level with Bucknell throughout the opening half. While neither side was able to string together a prolonged run, the Terriers’ balance between paint efficiency and perimeter shooting kept the game within a single possession for much of the period.

Bucknell answered with strong half-court execution, leaning on its interior scoring and perimeter shooting to gain a narrow advantage as the half progressed. The Bison capitalized on second-chance opportunities and timely jumpers, gradually creating separation late in the half. Despite continued scoring from the Terriers, Bucknell carried a slim 32–28 lead into the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams exchanging baskets and struggling to generate consistent stops. Boston University repeatedly responded to Bucknell surges behind efficient perimeter shooting, making 6 jumpers behind the arc in the second half, preventing the Bison from extending the margin beyond a few possessions. As the game tightened late, the Terriers tried to steal the game with the shooting performance of Sam Hughes and the best game of the season of freshman guard Chance Gladden; however, the Bison managed to tie the game by going to the free throw line. 

Regulation ended with the teams deadlocked, as Bucknell answered a late BU basket to force overtime. The first extra period mirrored the closing minutes of regulation, with both teams executing offensively and neither able to create separation in the table. Boston University continued to score efficiently and went to the foul line; only Chance Gladden went to the line 7 times in the first overtime.  Bucknell countered with Amon Dörries’ 6 points and did not give the lead in the last two minutes. Bison missed the match possession with Pachucki’s layup, and the game went to the second overtime.

Free throws continued to determine the fate of the game in the second overtime. The half-court offense of the teams got weakened, and they started to go to the foul line in almost every other possession. The momentum-changer sequence was between the third and fourth minutes of the second overtime. Dörries and Curtin’s back-to-back three-point jumpers followed by Curtin’s and-one increased the deficit by more than 2 possessions, and the Terriers couldn’t manage to chase them.

Chance Gladden led Boston University with 34 points, attacking the rim relentlessly and converting 17 of 18 free-throw attempts. Gladden also added four assists and four rebounds while playing all 48 minutes. Sam Hughes followed with 22 points, knocking down five three-pointers and providing consistent spacing throughout regulation and both overtimes. Michael McNair contributed 19 points and six rebounds, connecting on four shots from beyond the arc and keeping the Terriers within striking distance late.

Ben Defty added a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, along with five assists, anchoring the interior and facilitating offense from the post. Boston University finished the night shooting 46 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range, while converting 24 of 29 free throws in the extended contest.

Bucknell was paced by Amon Dörries, who scored a game-high 36 points with 4 three-pointers made and 10-10 on the free throw line. Achile Spadone added 24 points, while Pat Curtin recorded 22 points and 10 rebounds, providing a steady interior presence during key stretches. The Bison shot 32-62 from the field and 11-22 from beyond the arc; their efficiency proved decisive over 50 minutes.

The loss dropped Boston University to 8–15 overall and 3–7 in Patriot League play. Their next chance to turn momentum around will be on Monday against the Holy Cross Crusaders in Case Gymnasium.