Turner Burns Crimson by Turning Back The Clock

At this time last year, Boston University junior guard Matt Turner was the Terriers’ leading scorer (17.5 ppg), their most accurate marksman (56.3 percent from the field; 50 percent from beyond the arc), and by all accounts one of the brightest stars in the Amercia East.

On Dec. 1 of last year, though, the prolific and versatile shooter separated his shoulder scrapping for a loose ball against a Holy Cross defender. The injury required season-ending surgery, and Turner was unable to regain his touch and confidence for the past year.

That is, of course, until the 5:29 mark of the second half last night in Lavietes Pavilion.

With his team down 51-49 and with the Crimson carrying the momentum after a 12-4 run, Turner placed the Terriers squarely on his now-healthy shoulders and poured in 13 of his team’s final 19 points, including a stretch of 11 straight. The outburst powered BU past Harvard, 68-61, to secure its third straight win over an Ivy opponent.

For Turner, who finished with a season-high 22 points, the hot streak to close out last night’s game was a welcome reminder of the level of play he had been accustomed to before his injury.

“I had been struggling a lot earlier this season, so it was good to play like I did,” Turner said. “It started to feel good out there again.”

And while Turner was regaining good feelings amid his second-half run, the Crimson was tortured by its decision to continue gambling with its zone defense.

Harvard coach Frank Sullivan admitted after the game that the zone had proved beneficial in the early stages of the game and that he had not anticipated Turner’s proficiency down the stretch. One can’t blame Sullivan for thinking that, given Turner’s modest 8.8 ppg average in his first four games.

“Turner hadn’t shot the ball that well this season,” Sullivan said. “He’s been kept under wraps [since his injury] and he just had a tremendous night.”

Sullivan later switched senior guard Pat Harvey over to shadow Turner, but by that point in the game, the damage had already been done.

As Turner tells it, though, his superlative effort at beating Harvard’s zone was nothing more than BU’s success with ball movement.

“Everybody did a great job of moving the ball around and finding the open guy,” Turner said. “I just happened to be that open guy tonight.”

But humility can only go so far, and even Turner couldn’t hide his excitment on the court.

With the contest knotted at 55 and only 3:13 left in the game, Turner came off a high screen at the top of the arc. He had just drained three straight jumpers on the previous three Terrier possessions and everyone in Lavietes knew the ball would somehow end up in his hot hands.

After catching the pass from junior forward Jason Grochowalski, Turner set his feet and fired. A second and a swish later, Turner threw his arms out and basked in the cheers from the Terrier faithful. His smile said it all—Turner was back and he knew it.

“He was so juiced that he was finding his rhythm,” Sullivan said of Turner’s visible excitement. “It’s nice for him.”

What is further remarkable about Turner’s 22-point effort is that it came during only 23 minutes of action off the bench. BU coach Dennis Wolff has kept Turner in a reserve role since he returned during this year’s preseason.

Here’s betting that after tonight’s spirited performance, you’ll see Turner starting for BU at an arena near you.

—Staff writer Daniel E. Fernandez can be reached at dfernand@fas.harvard.edu.