BOSTON -- Eric Fanning scored 25 points and collared nearly half his team's rebounds as Boston University ended the regular season with an 83-68 defeat of Holy Cross Saturday afternoon, clinching the No. 3 seed and a home game in the Patriot League tournament.

John Papale scored 16 points and Blaise Mbargorba, a 6-foot-11 junior, scored a career-high 15 on 7-for-7 shooting as the Terriers (18-13, 11-7) broke a two-game skid by shooting 58 percent from the field (32 of 55) and outrebounding Holy Cross 37-22.

Boston University took the lead for good 59 seconds into the game.

BU earned a bye to the Patriot quarterfinals March 3.

Despite ending the season with five straight losses, Holy Cross (10-19, 5-13) holds the ninth seed and travels to face the No. 8 seed in the league tourney's knockout first round on Tuesday. Robert Champion led Holy Cross with 14 points and seven boards.