Thursday, December 29, 2011

No brotherly love: BU falls, 70-53, to La Salle in Philly

By René Reyes/DFP Staff

In its third and final trip to Philadelphia this month alone, the Boston University men’s basketball team dropped its fifth straight decision Thursday night, losing 70-53 to La Salle University at Tom Gola Arena. BU hasn’t won since notching a 75-61 victory at Boston College back on Dec. 3.

Redshirt freshman Malik Thomas continued to impress in just his sixth collegiate game, recording a career-high 17 points and eight rebounds to pace the Terriers (4-9). Senior guard Darryl Partin, who played two seasons at La Salle before transferring to BU at the end of the 2009-09 campaign, struggled from the offensive end once again, shooting 4-of-16 from the field for a mere 12 points, eight points below his season average of 20.8 points per game.

For the Explorers (9-4), guard Tyreek Duren led all scorers with 23 points and dished out a team-high five assists. Guard Ramon Galloway chipped in 13 points and forward Jerrell Wright added 10 points and eight boards, as La Salle posted its eighth win in a row at home – a program record at the facility.

Both teams were without the services of star offensive players with La Salle’s Sam Mills and BU’s D.J. Irving out due to injuries. The Terriers seized an early 5-3 advantage but it was all downhill from that point on. By halftime, the Explorers found themselves ahead, 43-29, and their lead reached as many as 25 points in the second half.

BU will look to break out of this winless slump Saturday afternoon when it travels to Hamden, Conn., to face Quinnipiac University with tip-off set for 12 p.m.

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