Feb. 8, 2014

BOSTON - Boston University started the game with a 31-8 run and never looked back in an 88-54 decision over Lafayette on Saturday afternoon at Agganis Arena. Seth Hinrichs scored 19 points and hauled in nine boards in a losing effort.

Justin Alston scored 17 points off the bench to lead BU's offense, which knocked down 56.1 percent of its shots. BU scored 48 of its 88 points in the paint. Alongside Alston was D.J. Irving, who had 16 points, while Maurice Watson Jr. scored 12 and handed out eight assists. John Papale added 11 points for the Terriers.

Each team scored on its opening two possessions before BU used a 27-4 run and the Terriers (17-8, 10-2) opened up a 31-8 lead at the eight-minute mark. Boston scored its first 14 points in the paint and 24 of their first 31 overall en route to the 23-point lead. Turnovers haunted the Leopards (6-17, 2-10) during the run as they gave it away eight times in the first 12 minutes. Boston forced the Leopards into a season-high 20 turnovers in total.

The Terriers led by as many as 24 before intermission and took a 42-23 lead into the break as Irving led the way with 11 points and Alston added 10. Lafayette was limited to 29.6 percent from the floor in the half on 8-of-27 shooting, including a 2-for-10 effort from beyond the arc. BU was also plus five in the rebounding department, despite Lafayette holding the overall edge at 37-34.

Three straight buckets by Papale, including a pair of threes, early in the second half helped the Terriers push their advantage to 28 points (55-27) with 16 minutes to play. A trey by Joey Ptasinski (nine points) and a layup by Dan Trist had the Leopards down 23, but Irving drilled a three on the other end to erase any hope of a Leopards' spurt at that point.

Trailing 63-38 with less than 12 minutes to go, Hinrichs drilled back-to-back threes and BU called timeout with 9:40 on the clock. The Leopards got a stop on the defensive end on the ensuing possession, but a turnover in transition and slam by Thomas put Lafayette's deficit back above 20.

Lafayette returns to Kirby Sports Center on Wednesday evening when it hosts Loyola. Opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game can be seen on television through the Lafayette Sports Network and online on Patriot League Network.

Game Notes:

Lafayette's 23 first-half points were the lowest total in Patriot League play this season.

Monty Boykins set a new career-high with two steals.

Lafayette outrebounded its opponent for the third consecutive game.

With 988 career points, Hinrichs is 12 shy of becoming the 39^th member of Lafayette's 1,000 point club.