VESTAL, N.Y. – This was far more than a big playoff upset victory. This was one for the history books and – if nothing else – one very big one for the seniors on the University of Maine men’s basketball team.

Saturday night’s come-from-behind, emotion-wringing, down-to-the-buzzer 47-45 victory by sixth-seeded Maine over No. 3 Boston University in the America East conference quarterfinals at Binghamton University’s Events Center rid the Black Bears of more demons than any exorcism.

Chris Markwood was the chief exorcist, although every player on the court had a hand in this win. With nine seconds left, Maine’s senior guard took a Joe Campbell inbounds pass from the opposite baseline and dribbled up to the left wing to set up a shot. With everyone effectively covered and time winding down, Markwood wheeled around to face the basket, let fly a shot from just outside the 3-point line, and watched as it swished down through the net.

“That wasn’t the drawn-up play. I was looking for Joe on a throw-back, but they took that away and when I saw no one was really close to me with three seconds left, I had to let one go,” said the South Portland native.

BU guard Chaz Carr (12 points) managed to drive to the opposite arc and launch a 25-footer before the buzzer sounded, but the ball hit the backboard to the left of the rim and bounced away.

“This is huge. We were saying as we were celebrating in the locker room how big it is beating BU for the first time, especially for the seniors,” said senior forward Mark Flavin, who led the Bears with 11 points and 10 rebounds. “It’s emotional and it’s a great thing.”

Maine’s seniors had never tasted victory against the Terriers, who had won nine straight and 11 of the last 12 meetings. Not since March 3, 2001 (also an AE quarterfinal) has any Maine player walked off the court victorious against BU.

Northeastern eliminated Maine from the tourney Sunday with an 86-73 semifinal victory.

One of the greatest games in Maine’s season looked like anything but in the first half as both teams struggled to score. The guy who took part in the Choice Hotels International halftime shootaround contest went 2-for-8 from around the perimeter and still shot better than either team. Maine shot 21.4 percent and BU 23.8 from the floor. The halftime score (18-13 BU) was the lowest in AE tourney history.

“I know both teams missed some shots along the way, but I really thought that had to do with the defense both teams were playing,” said UM coach Ted Woodward. “It’s always a struggle to score against them. It has been since I’ve been at Maine.”

Saturday was no exception, although Maine increased its percentage all the way up to 50 percent (12-for-24) in the second half. Markwood’s shot provided the last of seven lead changes in the final minutes of this war of wills.

The resilient Bears overcame setback after setback to win.

Campbell canned back-to-back 3-pointers to fuel a crucial 13-2 Maine run that turned a 25-13 deficit with 17 minutes left into a 27-26 score with 11:53 left. The senior from Bangor finished with 11 points and seven boards after having none and one, respectively, in the first half.

BLACK BEARS 47, TERRIERS 45

Maine (14-14) Boston U. (20-8)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Flavin 5 11 1 4 11 Bell 6 13 18

Reed 3 11 0 0 8 Wynn 1 8 0 2

Dubois 0 3 0 0 0 Brower 1 7 2

Campbell 4 5 0 0 11 Carr 3 12 12

Markwood 3 8 0 0 7 Gardner 1 2 2

Turner 2 10 2 2 7 Wolff 0 2 0

Bruff 0 2 0 0 0 Geffen 0 1 0

Hight 1 2 0 0 3 Gaffney 2 3 5

Ahvenniemi 0 0 0 0 0 Peterkin 1 4

Totals 18 52 3 6 47 Totals 15 53 13 16 45

Maine 13 47

Boston University 18 45

3-pt. goals – Maine (8-22): Campbell 3-3, Reed 2-9, Markwood 1-4, Turner 1-3, Hight 1-2, Bruff 0-1; BU (2-10): Gaffney 1-1, Carr 1-3, Wolff 0-2, Wynn 0-3, Brower 0-1

Attendance: 3,062