10-for-10 at end, Boston University holds off Bucknell 87-80

Jan 5, 2019, 08:49 pm

BOSTON -- Max Mahoney scored 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Javante McCoy added 18 points and was perfect from the foul line as Boston University held off a Bucknell comeback 87-80, making 10 of 10 free throws in the final 1:32 on Saturday.

Bucknell, which made an improbable 26-point comeback to win at Army on Thursday, rallied against the Terriers as well, cutting a nine-point gap to 68-65. The Bison, with all their timeouts remaining, began fouling in the final 92 seconds, but three Boston U players went to the line and made all 10 free throws.

A 69-percent free-throw shooting team coming in, the Terriers (8-7, 1-1 Patriot League) converted 89 percent (16 of 18), including 14 of 15 after halftime.

Mahoney was 12 of 20 from the floor, blocked two shots and made four assists. McCoy had two steals and was 6 for 6 at the line. Tyler Scanlon scored 12 for Boston U and Alex Vilarino scored 11, making 5 of 5 from the free-throw line.

Nate Sestina scored a career-high 27 points with five 3-pointers, nine rebounds and three assists for the Bison (7-7, 1-1). Kimbal Mackenzie added 19 points and Bruce Moore 16, including all six points in a late 6-1 burst.