BU Basketball Sweeps Holy Cross as Both Teams Wore Masks

Gerrale Gates scored 19 points, Austin Butler added 18 and Holy Cross edged past Boston University 68-66 on Tuesday in a game both teams wore masks.

Masks were required — not just on the sidelines, but during the game — for both sides at Case Gym at BU. It is believed to be the first men’s college basketball game with both teams in masks, according to a report from CBS Boston.

Both teams practice with masks, but players told CBS Boston wearing them during a game takes some getting used to.

“It’s definitely harder to play with them in a game,” Holy Cross senior guard Austin Butler told CBS Boston. “Because you’re focused on playing, you know going out there and competing, you’re also, you know, fixing your mask.”

Earlier in the week, BU wore masks in an 83-76 win at Holy Cross — but the Crusaders did not.

“At first it was a little irritating, but now that I’ve used it more and more I’ve been getting used to it,” BU junior guard Jonas Harper told CBS Boston. “We’re using it for a good reason, not to spread COVID so at the end of the day it’s the right measures to do.”

BU is requiring all its sports teams to wear masks during play, and the Terriers men’s and women’s teams both masked up in their season openers on Monday.

The NCAA has not mandated masks on the court.

To read the full story from CBS Boston on Boston University and Holy Cross kicking off mask-use during the collegiate basketball season, click here.