La Salle surges past Boston U.

BOSTON - Earl Pettis scored a career-high 19 points, including two key free throws in the final seconds, as La Salle rallied for an 84-81 nonconference victory Thursday night over Boston University.

Ruben Guillandeaux paced La Salle (6-3) with 21 points and Jerrell Williams added 13.

Darryl Partin led the Terriers (4-6) with 20 while freshman Dom Morris chipped in a career-high 15.

John Holland's jam with 17.9 seconds left in regulation pulled BU within 81-80.

Guillandeaux then converted 1 of 2 free throws as did BU's D.J. Irving to make it 82-81.

Pettis buried both ends of a two-shot foul with 7.8 seconds left, and a desperation heave by Holland at the buzzer was way off target.

The Terriers threatened to put the game away early as they bolted to a 30-18 lead with 6 minutes, 49 seconds left in the first half.

La Salle was unable to solve BU's 2-1-2 zone, and as a result, shot a frigid 35.3 percent (12 for 34) in the opening 20 minutes.

Morris drained a pair of three-point shots to spark BU, but Pettis almost single-handedly pulled the Explorers back into contention.

The Terriers led by 34-23 after Morris put in a reverse layup, only to have Pettis score seven consecutive La Salle points.

Pettis sank both ends of a two-shot foul with 1:45 left to pull La Salle within 34-32.

After BU scored four points, Guillandeaux buried a trey at the buzzer, which sliced La Salle's deficit to 38-35 at the break.