by Matt MacCormack
The last time the Northeastern men’s basketball was in action prior to Tuesday’s season opener against Boston University, the Huskies blew a 17-point second-half lead and lost out on an NCAA tournament berth to the College of Charleston.
You’d have to forgive a Husky fan for having a little deja vu after Tuesday’s 77-74 loss to the cross-town rival Terriers at Matthews Arena.
The Huskies led by 12 points with 12:43 to play in the game, but BU clawed its way back, mounting a 14-4 run to close the game and pull off a victory. Northeastern’s offense went cold down the stretch, and the Terriers — led by six freshman — looked the more experienced side.
Redshirt senior point guard Vasa Pusica led the way with a game-high 31 points and six assists. BU was led by junior Tyler Scanlon, who registered 16 points and eight rebounds.
BU head coach Joe Jones pulled out a zone defense in the second half, which seemed to stall the Huskies offense.
“We had the game in control,” said Northeastern head coach Bill Coen.
“I thought it was a good tactic that Coach Jones went to the zone…I thought we lost our rhythm, at least offensively, and then we had some ill-advised fouls.”
Juniors Shawn Occeus and Max Boursiquot missed the game due to injury.