Boston University Holds Off UC Irvine at the Finish, 79-76

Freshman Bevan Thomas’ team-high 19 points led Boston University to a 79-76 nonconference victory over UC Irvine in the season opener for both teams before 1,861 at Walter Brown Arena in Boston on Tuesday night.

The Anteaters trailed by three in the final 15 seconds when Lloyd Mumford’s three-point attempt bounced off the rim. Mumford got the ball back, drove and passed to Khari Johnson, who missed his shot but was fouled. Irvine’s hopes ended when Johnson missed both free throws with four seconds to play and Boston University got the rebound.

With slightly less than four minutes to play in the half, the Terriers went on a 9-2 run that began when freshman Dave Stiff made an 18-footer from the baseline to give Boston University a 35-32 lead.

Irvine tied the score at 67-67 and 73-73 during the second half, but couldn’t pull ahead.

“We just weren’t disciplined enough,” Irvine Coach Rod Baker said. “We didn’t demonstrate singlemindedness about what we were here for. This was a very winnable game for us. (The Terriers) did a good job, they did what they needed to.”

Stiff finished with 16 points. Irvine was led by Jeff Von Lutzow’s 25 points and 14 rebounds.