BOSTON (Interstat) — Boston University avenged an overtime loss from January with an 85-58 victory over Colgate in a Patriot League men’s basketball game Monday night at Agganis Arena. The Terriers (13-15) pulled away decisively after halftime, outscoring the Raiders 49-35 in the second half. Colgate (16-12) could not replicate its 80-79 overtime win over Boston University from Jan. 24. The Terriers led 36-23 at intermission and maintained control throughout before a crowd of 1,590. The combined score of 143 fell just under the betting total of 142.5.

BOSTON (Interstat) — Azmar Abdullah erupted for a game-high 26 points, spearheading a dominant second-half surge that carried Boston University to an 85-58 victory over Colgate in a Patriot League men’s basketball game Monday night at Agganis Arena. The Terriers, avenging an overtime loss to the Raiders just three weeks prior, improved to 13-15 overall. Colgate, which entered as a narrow favorite, fell to 16-12. The most important part of the game was Boston University’s immediate and overwhelming response to open the second half, which transformed a competitive contest into a decisive rout. Leading by 13 points at halftime, the Terriers extinguished any hope of a Colgate comeback by scoring on their first four possessions of the second period. A driving layup by Ben Defty, a transition layup from Chance Gladden and consecutive three-pointers from Abdullah and Sam Hughes fueled a 10-2 run that stretched the lead to 46-25 within the first three minutes. Colgate never recovered, as the Terriers’ lead ballooned to as many as 31 points in the closing minutes. Abdullah, a guard from Cranston, Rhode Island, was the catalyst throughout. He scored 11 of his points during Boston University’s pivotal 49-point second half, finishing an efficient 8 for 13 from the field, including 6 for 10 from three-point range. He added a block and three defensive rebounds in 31 minutes, showcasing the all-around performance that has keyed the Terriers’ recent four-game winning streak. He was far from alone. Michael McNair of Temecula, California, provided 15 points, four assists and two blocks, while Sam Hughes of nearby Brookline, Massachusetts, chipped in 16 points. The 7-foot Defty, from Berlin, Germany, controlled the paint with 10 points, five assists and two blocks. Chance Gladden of Raleigh, North Carolina, orchestrated the offense with a game-high seven assists to go with eight points. Colgate, which shot poorly throughout the night, was led by Ben Tweedy of Rockhampton, Australia, with 13 points. Kyle Carlesimo of Seattle came off the bench to score 12, all on three-pointers. The Raiders’ leading scorer, Andrew Alekseyenko of Brookline, was held to nine points on 4-of-12 shooting. The game began with Abdullah setting an aggressive tone, hitting two quick three-pointers to give Boston University a 6-0 lead it would never relinquish. Colgate stayed within striking distance for much of the first half, closing to within 22-19 on a Carlesimo three-pointer with just over nine minutes left. The Terriers answered with a 14-3 run, capped by another Abdullah three and a Gladden jumper, to take a 36-22 advantage. The Raiders trailed 36-23 at the break, a deficit that proved insurmountable against Boston University’s relentless second-half execution. The 27-point margin of victory marked a stunning reversal from the teams’ previous meeting on Jan. 24, when Colgate edged Boston University 80-79 in overtime in Hamilton, New York. The Terriers’ offensive output was their highest in a regulation conference game this season. A crowd of 1,590 at Agganis Arena watched the Terriers outperform pregame expectations. National statistical models had given Colgate a 54.9 percent probability to win, and the Raiders had been installed as a 1-point favorite. The combined score of 143 points fell just under the betting over/under line of 142.5. Boston University will look to extend its win streak when it hosts Holy Cross on Wednesday. Colgate, which has now lost two of its last three, returns home to face Loyola Maryland on Saturday.

Preview: Colgate Raiders at Boston University Terriers BOSTON (Interstat) — A Patriot League rematch with postseason implications awaits Monday night when the Colgate Raiders visit the Boston University Terriers at Agganis Arena. The Raiders (16-11) look to bounce back from a tough overtime loss and complete a regular-season sweep of the Terriers (12-15), who are riding a wave of momentum from a three-game winning streak. These teams delivered an instant classic just over three weeks ago, with Colgate escaping with an 80-79 overtime victory at home on Jan. 24. The sequel promises similar intensity as both squads jockey for position ahead of the conference tournament. Colgate’s fortunes hinge on dynamic guard Jalen Cox, who is playing at an elite level. In the first meeting, Cox scored 23 points and dished five assists. He is coming off a monumental 30-point, seven-assist effort in Saturday’s 84-80 OT loss to Navy, his third 30-point game in his last six outings. Over his last eight contests, Cox has averaged 20.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists. Boston University counters with its own standout in forward Michael McNair. He scored 20 points in the narrow January loss to Colgate and has been instrumental during the Terriers’ current streak. McNair is averaging 24.5 points and 7.0 rebounds over the last two games, including a 28-point performance in Saturday’s 82-69 win over Bucknell. The Terriers have found their rhythm in February, winning four of their last five to steady their season. Colgate, despite the recent setback, had won three straight prior to the Navy game and remains above .500 in league play. Monday’s contest will be a test of resilience for the Raiders and a measure of progress for the surging Terriers. With Cox and McNair leading their respective teams, another close finish is anticipated in this Patriot League clash. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.