Patrick Chambers forgives turnovers. Well, at least those committed by Corey Lowe. Boston University’s star guard paces the America East Conference with 93 giveaways this season for a per-game average of 4.9, but if the senior continues to fill the stat sheet like he did Sunday, his first-year coach won’t mind one bit.
Lowe overcame a game-high seven turnovers to author a line of 10 points, eight assists and five rebounds in 38 minutes, helping BU secure a regular-season sweep of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County with a 79-61 victory at Retriever Activities Center.
Sunday marked the Terriers’ sixth win in seven games since Lowe became the team’s primary ballhandler, following the loss of senior guard Tyler Morris to a broken right hand earlier this month.
‘Corey’s been doing a phenomenal job,’ Chambers said. ‘For him to have 10 points, five rebounds and eight assists, that shows his maturity. He didn’t let the seven turnovers bother him, and they weren’t all his fault, either. When he plays and handles the ball for almost 40 minutes a game, he’s going to turn the ball over.’
Despite battling plantar fasciitis in his right foot all season, the second-year co-captain has neutralized his high turnover rate with 91 dimes for a 1.0 assist-to-turnover ratio that ranks fifth in the conference.
‘I can’t get upset with turnovers on Corey,’ Chambers said. ‘He’s the heart and soul of this team.’
He’s also one of the top scorers in BU history. Sunday’s effort upped the Newton, Mass., native’s career point total to 1,648, vaulting him past Steve Wright for fourth place on the program’s all-time scoring list.
All hands on deck At a point of the season when Chambers particularly needs bench production, he received precisely that from senior Sherrod Smith on Sunday.
The lanky guard pulled down a career-best seven boards over a season-high 22 minutes against UMBC, logging efficient floor time in the absence of senior walk-on forward Brendan Sullivan (dislocated left shoulder).
‘It’s refreshing to know that when somebody goes down, the next guy is able to step up. That’s what Sherrod did [Sunday],’ Chambers said. ‘There’s no limit to what he can do. He was all over the glass, moved the ball, made good decisions and played great defense. That’s exactly what we need out of him.’
BU dressed nine players for Sunday’s game, all of which saw action. Senior guard