Dec. 28, 2005

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Chris McNaughton scored 20 points to lead Bucknell to a 63-57 victory over Boston University in the first round of the Cable Car Classic on Wednesday night.

Charles Lee scored six of his 15 points in the final 2 minutes as Bucknell (9-1), off to its best start in 49 years, won its fourth straight game. The Bison also started the season 9-1 in 1956-57 and hasn't won 10 of its first 11 games since the 1926-27 season.

Corey Hassan scored 16 points for the Terriers (4-7), who lost for just the second time in six games after an 0-5 start.

McNaughton has reached double figures in scoring in all 10 games and has made 26 of 31 shots over his last four games.

Bucknell will meet Santa Clara, a 63-61 winner over UC Riverside in the other first-round game, in Thursday's championship. The Bison are looking for their first in-season tournament title since the 1999-2000 season and their fifth overall since 1956. BU will play UC Riverside in a third-place game.

Bucknell took a 42-32 lead midway through the second half but the Terriers hung around and kept it interesting.

Ben Coblyn's layin brought Boston within 55-53 with 2:20 remaining to play but Lee responded with a pair of free throws at 1:54 and a layup 1 minute later to put the Bison up by six. He added a pair of free throws with 38 seconds left.

McNaughton's slam in the final minute gave Bucknell a 26-23 halftime advantage.