Joel Smith, Northeastern sink Boston U. 65-64
Joel Smith scored 20 points and Demetrius Pollard made a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left to help Northeastern rally and beat Boston University 65-64 Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
Boston took a 35-26 halftime lead behind 10 first-half points from D.J. Irving. However, Northeastern opened the second half on a 12-4 run to narrow the deficit to 39-38.
The Huskies rallied to their first lead, 57-56, behind two Quincy Ford free throws and held that lead until Malik Thomas' 3-pointer put Boston back ahead, 63-62, with 1:13 remaining.
Both teams exchanged misses before Smith was forced to foul Travis Robinson with 9 seconds showing. Robinson made just one of two free throw attempts, opening the door for Pollard's game-winning shot on Northeastern's next possession.
Pollard had missed his previous three field goal attempts.
Irving led Boston with 18 points but went 0-for-6 from deep.