Gone in 60 minutes

In the longest contest in program history, the Boston University men’s basketball team prevailed over Stony Brook University, 99-97, in a four-overtime instant classic at the Case Gymnasium on Monday afternoon.

Showing the determination, grit and toughness that has evaded the team throughout the season, the Terriers (8-9, 3-2 America East) overcame repeated surges from the scrappy Seawolves (9-9, 1-4 AE) during the course of a game that saw 18 lead changes and 16 ties.

‘I don’t think they could have played any harder,’ BU coach Dennis Wolff said. ‘We had plenty of chances to fold, and we didn’t. It was an incredible game that I think we’ll all remember for a long time.’

Junior guard Corey Lowe, whose game-high 33 points all came during the second half and overtimes, and sophomore John Holland, who played all 60 minutes and tallied 29 points, carried the Terriers.

BU took a 34-23 lead with 15:17 remaining in the second half after a 6-0 run, capped by a tip-in from freshman Jeff Pelage following Holland’s drive.

The Seawolves responded with their own 7-0 run, with five points coming from sophomore Chris Martin, to help eventually tie the score at 42-42 by the 8:19 mark. Martin came off the bench to finish with a career-high 26 points.

For the rest of regulation, the teams traded scores, with a pivotal play coming 21 seconds before the buzzer. Junior forward Scott Brittain turned at the baseline for a lay-in and a foul, and a missed free throw left the Terrier lead at 54-52.