HANOVER, N.H. (Interstat) — Kareem Thomas scored 22 points to lead Dartmouth to a 77-64 win over Boston University in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at Leede Arena. The Big Green built a commanding 43-32 halftime lead and maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the second half before a crowd of 898. Jayden Williams added 18 points and seven rebounds for Dartmouth, which improved to 4-5. Ben Defty led the Terriers with 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Michael McNair added 14 points. Boston University, which never led, fell to 4-8. Dartmouth shot efficiently from the floor while Boston University struggled, particularly from three-point range. The Terriers have lost three straight.

HANOVER, N.H. (Interstat) — The Dartmouth men’s basketball team used a dominant first-half offensive display to build a substantial lead and then held off a persistent Boston University squad for a 77-64 victory on Saturday afternoon at a sparsely attended Leede Arena. A crowd of 898 watched the Big Green improve to 4-5 on the season, while the Terriers fell to 4-8. The story of the game was written in the opening 20 minutes, as Dartmouth raced out to a 43-32 halftime advantage. The Big Green shot efficiently from the floor, connecting on 12 of 31 three-point attempts in the game, and capitalized on their opportunities at the free-throw line, making 19 of 26. Boston University, conversely, struggled with its shooting touch all evening, finishing 23 of 62 from the field and a frigid 8 of 30 from beyond the arc. Dartmouth’s backcourt duo of Kareem Thomas and Jayden Williams proved too much for the Terriers to handle. Thomas, a junior from Wilmington, Delaware, led all scorers with 22 points, adding three rebounds and three assists in 34 minutes. Williams, a sophomore from Windermere, Florida, provided crucial scoring support with 18 points and seven rebounds. Their combined 40 points anchored a Big Green offense that operated with precision, posting an offensive rating of 114.3 points per 100 possessions. Boston University was led by its 7-foot center Ben Defty, who posted 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Michael McNair added 14 points for the Terriers, who managed to match their first-half output of 32 points in the second half but could never seriously threaten the double-digit deficit established before the break. The most critical sequence of the game occurred late in the first half, transforming a competitive contest into a comfortable Dartmouth lead. With just over seven minutes remaining and Dartmouth holding a 25-22 edge, the Big Green unleashed a decisive 18-7 run to close the period. The surge was fueled by a combination of stifling defense and timely shooting. It included a three-pointer from Kareem Thomas, a driving layup from Jackson Munro, and a corner three from Jayden Williams, pushing the lead to 39-27. After a Boston University free throw, Williams struck again from deep with 10 seconds left, followed by two Niko Abusara free throws after a foul in the closing second, sending Dartmouth into the locker room with a commanding 43-32 advantage. Boston University never got closer than nine points in the second half. Each time the Terriers showed a sign of life, Dartmouth answered. A Chance Gladden three-pointer cut the lead to 52-45 with 15:17 to play, but Williams immediately responded with a three of his own on the ensuing possession. Later, a Donte Tisinger layup made it 63-55 with just over 10 minutes left, only for Brandon Mitchell-Day to drain a three-pointer 20 seconds later to restore an 11-point cushion. Mitchell-Day, a sophomore from St. Louis, was a force for Dartmouth all afternoon, finishing with 15 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Munro contributed seven points, five rebounds and a game-high four assists. For Boston University, Ethan Okwuosa grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, but the Terriers were hampered by poor shooting and an inability to string together stops during Dartmouth’s first-half blitz. The game’s statistical profile underscored Dartmouth’s control. Despite having two fewer possessions than Boston University, the Big Green scored 13 more points. They also won the battle at the charity stripe, making nine more free throws than the Terriers, who shot 10 of 17 from the line. Boston University did hold advantages in offensive rebounds (11-6), steals (6-3), and blocks (4-2), but their 37.1% shooting from the field proved insurmountable. Dartmouth, which was projected with an 80.4% probability to win by National Statistical’s ELO system and was a 2.5-point pregame favorite, will look to build on this performance when they travel to face Holy Cross on Tuesday. Boston University, which saw the total score of 141 fall well under the over/under line of 151.5, will return home to host Massachusetts-Lowell next Sunday.

Preview: Boston University Terriers at Dartmouth Big Green HANOVER, N.H. (Interstat) — Two men’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Saturday when the Boston University Terriers visit the Dartmouth Big Green at Leede Arena. Both sides enter the nonconference matchup looking to halt recent slides. The Terriers (4-7) have lost four of their last five, including a 59-69 home loss to Maine on Wednesday. The Big Green (3-5) have dropped two straight on a challenging Western road swing, falling at Wyoming and Colorado State. Boston University will lean on forward Ben Defty, who is coming off a season-high 19-point performance in the loss to Maine. Over his last seven games, Defty is averaging 12.7 points and has been a consistent defensive presence. Guard Ben Roy and forward Michael McNair, who added 12 points against Maine, provide additional scoring options. Dartmouth counters with guard Cameron Hiatt, who scored 10 points in Tuesday’s 55-76 loss at Colorado State. Hiatt has been a steady contributor, averaging 6.7 points over his last five contests. Backcourt mate Jayden Williams, who led the Big Green with 11 points against the Rams, and forward Brandon Mitchell-Day are key figures in the rotation. The game represents a final tune-up before both teams break for the holidays. Dartmouth’s schedule remains arduous, with a trip to Florida looming after games at Holy Cross and Sacred Heart next week. Boston University opens Patriot League play at the end of the month. Historically, the intrastate rivalry has been closely contested. The teams last met in 2022, with Dartmouth securing a 71-69 victory. Saturday’s contest tips off at 2 p.m. EST. The Terriers will look to improve their road record, while the Big Green aim to defend their home court and build confidence before embarking on another tough road stretch.