PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) -- Eli Carter scored 20 points, and Rutgers made four free throws in the final 6.3 seconds to hold off Boston University 81-79 Tuesday night.

Malick Kone had a career-high 17 points and Myles Mack added 15 for Rutgers (3-1), which led the entire way but let an 18-point, first-half lead dwindle to one when D.J. Irving hit a 3-pointer with 8.2 seconds left.

Irving had 24 for Boston University, which has started 0-4 for the second straight year. Maurice Watson Jr. scored 16, John Papale 12 and Dom Morris 10.

After Irving pulled the Terriers to 77-76, Rutgers got the ball into the forecourt with 6.3 seconds left before Zach Chionuma was called for a fragrant foul on Jerome Seagears.

Seagears made both foul shots and, after Rutgers inbounded, Carter was fouled quickly and hit both with 5.7 seconds left to make it 81-76 and seal Rutgers third straight victory.

Rutgers opened leads of 32-14 and 34-16 with under six minutes left in the first half before Boston University rallied to get back in it. Irving sparked an 18-8 run with a 3-pointer and closed with another 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it 42-34 at half.

Rutgers built its big lead with a 13-2 run that gave the Knights a 23-10 advantage. They gradually built the 18-point lead behind eight points off the bench from Kone, which matched his career high from last year against Dartmouth.

Mack and Carter combined for 21 points during the half.

The Terriers gradually chipped away after intermission and got within three with less than three minutes left. Each time, however, Rutgers had an answer as it won its third straight.

Kone shot 8 for 10 to help Rutgers shoot 48.3 percent (28 for 58). Kadeem Jack's eight rebounds led the Knights, who held a 39-30 advantage on the boards.

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