Patriot League Showdown Set for Boston

BOSTON (Interstat) — A pair of teams heading in opposite directions will meet Saturday when the American Eagles visit the Boston University Terriers in a Patriot League men’s basketball matchup at Agganis Arena.

American (8-6) enters conference play with momentum, coming off an 84-69 victory over Loyola Maryland on Wednesday. The Eagles have won three of their last four, with the lone loss in that stretch a 95-51 defeat at then-Virginia.

Boston University (5-9) looks to halt a skid, having lost four of its last five. The Terriers fell 82-77 at Navy on Wednesday despite a career-high 26 points from guard Chance Gladden.

The Eagles have been led by guard Greg Jones, who is averaging 10.8 points and 3.3 assists. He scored 17 points with five rebounds and four assists in the win over Loyola Maryland. Forward Julen Iturbe added 12 points and seven rebounds in that contest.

Gladden is the focal point for the Terriers, averaging 12.8 points and 3.8 assists. He is coming off his explosive performance against Navy and previously dished out seven assists in a win over UMass Lowell on Dec. 21.

Historically, the home team has dominated this series. Boston University has won the last five meetings at Agganis Arena, with American’s last road win in the series coming in 2018. The Terriers won both matchups last season.

American’s success this season has been built on efficiency, ranking second in the Patriot League in field goal percentage defense. Boston University has struggled with consistency, particularly in closing games, with two of its recent losses coming in overtime or by five points or fewer.

Saturday’s game tips off at 2 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ESPN+. For American, it begins a stretch of three games in six days. Boston University opens a three-game homestand.