Quinnipiac University
Boston University
Late Three Sinks QU Men's Basketball at Boston University, 71-68
12/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BOSTON, Mass. – It was déjà vu all over again for the Quinnipiac men's basketball team on Sunday afternoon.
Boston University's Jon Papale nailed a three-pointer from the top of the key with 3.4 seconds left to give the hosting Terriers a 71-68 victory at Case Gymnasium. Papale hit the same shot in a similar situation two years ago.
All tied up at 68-68 and the shot clock turned off, BU ran Papale off a series of screens to free up the junior guard. Two years ago, Papale hit the same shot to force overtime when the Bobcats were in town. This time, the three proved to be the difference after Quinnipiac turned over its final possession.
The Bobcats were led offensively by Zaid Hearst (Bethesda, Maryland) who was just above his season average. Hearst netted 19 points going 7-for-16 from the field with four assists and three rebounds. Hearst led all scorers at the break with 12.
Ousmane Drame (Boston, Massachusetts) and Evan Conti (Bayside, N.Y.) were also in double figures for the Bobcats. Drame notched his 30th career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Conti finished with 13 points going 3-for-6 from behind the arc.
The heartbreaking loss stings a little more because Quinnipiac held a lead for 75 percent of the game. QU led 41-36 at halftime after opening the game on an 11-2 run. The Bobcats went 7-for-11 from long range in the first half, boasting season highs in three-point field goals and fewest turnovers (5), while shooting over 50 percent from the floor.
BU presented a stingy defense in the second half, holding Quinnipiac to 33.3 percent shooting from the floor. The Bobcats hit just two field goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation, scoring just 10 points during the span.
The Terriers hung with the Bobcats on the glass too, surrendering a 34-28 edge to the visitors for the game. That margin was nine below Quinnipiac's rebounding margin for the season.
Justin Harris (Paterson, New Jersey) and Dimitri Floras (Nashua, New Hampshire) chimed in offensively with eight points apiece for Quinnipiac. Harris added five rebounds. Ayron Hutton (Virginia Beach, Virginia), Kasim Chandler (Newark, New Jersey) and Chaise Daniels (Meriden, Connecticut) wrapped up the scoring column for the Bobcats. Hutton netted his first career points with a three in the first half.
BU improved to 3-6 on the season and collected its third straight win against Quinnipiac. Each of the three games were all influenced by a three-pointer at the end of regulation. Papale finished with 13 points going 3-for-5 from behind the arc. Cedric Hankerson led all scorers with 23 points.
Quinnipiac returns to action on Thursday, Dec. 18 when the team plays host to Lehigh University. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the TD Bank Sports Center. The game kicks off Quinnipiac's special 'Go For 3' ticket promotion in which fans can purchase three tickets for $30.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets for the 2014-15 campaign can call the QU Ticket Office at 203-582-3905, visit the official website of Quinnipiac athletics, www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com or make a trip to the TD Bank Sports Center Ticket Office.
Student-athletes, parents and fans can download the QU Athletics schedules to your laptop and mobile devices for free by clicking in the iCalendar link at the bottom of each sport's homepage or the master schedule page. Please follow Quinnipiac Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@QUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates.
