DURHAM, N.H. – First-year head coach Joe Jones didn’t want to dwell too much on the ugly aspects of Thursday night’s game at the University of New Hampshire.
He did not want to talk about how the Boston University men’s basketball team had committed 16 turnovers in a mistake-filled affair, or how the 52 total points were the fewest BU had scored in a win since 2005 or how UNH was a 3-point shot away from overcoming a 10-point second-half deficit and stealing a victory in the contest’s final seconds.
For Jones, grinding out a close road win against the Wildcats in Lundholm Gymnasium was good enough.
“These kids played their hearts out,” Jones said. “Instead of talking about how ugly it was. It was a hard-fought win. It was a road win for us. There’s nothing ugly about it. It’s basketball. It’s a road win.”
The home team, on the other hand, finished with 23 turnovers. BU was able to take advantage of New Hampshire’s mistakes and carelessness with the basketball, scoring 25 points off turnovers, while UNH scored 18.
Wildcats coach Bill Herrion said turnovers were the main reason behind his squad’s loss, which has lost back-to-back games and five of its last six.
“We are a team that continually beats ourselves,” Herrion said. “You’re not going to win many basketball games when you turn it over 23 times. Give them credit, they’re a very good defensive team but our inability just to make simple plays and pass-and-catch, it’s very disappointing.”
Herrion did give credit to BU’s efforts on defense for forcing the turnovers and capitalizing on the extra possessions in what eventually became a two-point win for the Terriers.
The difference between both teams is simple: BU has the ability to win close games with its experience while UNH hasn’t been able to come up on the right side of the scoreboard in tight contests.
“We just didn’t complete plays,” Herrion said. “The second half, they turned up the heat defensively. Give them credit. They’re very good. They’re a good defensive team. When you’ve won a championship and you’ve been in that situation and you’ve experienced that, you have that confidence, you have that swagger, you have that fight.
“You win close games like they won. That’s the difference between their team and their program and ours.”
Defense has been the Terriers’ calling card during their six-game winning streak. Despite out-rebounding the Wildcats by a 30-29 margin, there still is room for improvement, especially at offensive and defensive rebounding.
“I think that’s the main reason for our run right now because we’ve picked it up on the defensive end,” said sophomore guard D.J. Irving. “When we get going in the rebounding we’ll be pretty good.”
Senior guard Darryl Partin, who led all scorers with 20 points on 7-of-19 shooting, said he was pleased with his team’s performance, considering the one-hour drive up to Durham, N.H., and the Wildcats’ intensity on both ends of the floor.
“We know they’re a really tough team,” Partin said. “We lost here last year by a lot. The coach is a real tough-minded guy. We knew their team was going to come out with a lot of energy and really make us compete. It’s tough when you’re an hour away. You’re on an hour-long bus ride just to come and play and get off the bus and just play.
“It’s a tough ticket but we pulled it together, so I’m just excited about that.”
A close win on the road helped the team continue on its six-game winning streak in the America East.
“Every win feels great,” Partin said. “This definitely felt great, especially when you’re on the road . . . The road in college basketball is just rough wherever you’re playing, no matter who you’re playing against. You have to rise to the challenge.”
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