Louisville Men Basketball: W Basketball: Seniors shine as BU rebounds for big win over UMBC ...

Monday, February 25, 2013

W Basketball: Seniors shine as BU rebounds for big win over UMBC ...

by John-Michael Sedor/Staff Beat Reporter

BOSTON – The Boston University women’s basketball team defeated UMBC 72-51, Saturday afternoon in Case Gym. The Terriers are now 23-5 on the season and 13-2 in the American East conference.

After a devastating loss to Albany on Thursday, seniors Chantell Alford and Mo Moran returned home and reignited the Terriers, posting a combined 40 points. On top of their stellar performance, the team was celebrating their seniors, with a ceremony before the game for Alford, Moran, Kirsten Sims and Jacqueline Kuczynski, recovering from ACL surgery.

“It meant everything for us,” Alford said. “Four years seems like a long time but it goes by fast and we just wanted to come out here and play like we know how to play. Its just a great win on a big day.”

Alford led the team with 26 points, including five assists and three steals. Moran finished the night with 14 points and five rebound, while Sims had seven rebounds and three blocks. Mollie McKendrick came off the bench and led the team with a career-high 10 rebounds, along with posting seven points.

Raven Harris led UMBC with 15 points and six steals, while teammate Ashley Lambert posted 10 points for the night.

“I thought we really came around brought some energy to the court and obviously Chantell and Mo got things going for us,” coach Kelly Greenberg said. “Just a good game all around a lot of emotions and I’m really happy for our four seniors to get a win.”

The Terriers shot a 48.2 percent from the field, compared to UMBC’s 31.7 percent. The Terriers outrebounded the Retrievers 44-34 and BU never trailed once during the game.

The Terriers started the game with a 7-0 lead, but struggled as UMBC went on a 9-2 run tying the game at nine.

“It’s always nice to jump out and get a lead early; however on the flip side, you really hope you have the team that if you get down early, you have the toughness to get back into it,” Greenberg said.

BU then was able to sink a three, but UMBC struck right back tying the game yet again. The Terriers then went on a 10-0 run that lasted four minutes giving BU a 24-10 lead.

UMBC was able to regroup and ended the drought with two free throws from Lambert and then Harris was able to bring the deficit down to six.

A jumper from junior Rashidat Agboola, gave the Terriers a 10 point lead going into the half.

“We try to be patient on the offensive end, because in the first half we didn’t build a big lead,” Alford said. “We stuck with our game plan and just executed it down the stretch.”

As the second half started, both teams struggled to get a basket and it wasn’t until three minutes into the half that Alford scored three points from the free throw line. The teams then shared back and fourth baskets, until Lambert was able to bring the deficit into single digits.

The Terriers regained their momentum and went on a 15-2 run bringing their lead to 65-44. The Terriers eventually worked their lead to 20 points and Greenberg allowed the seniors to exit the game, while Case Gym gave the players a standing ovation.

With a three from freshman Clodagh Scannnell, BU went on to win the game 72-51.

After the game Greenberg spoke about the seniors.

“All four of them are just a tremendous group, watching them has been quite special for me,” she said. “They really left their mark as a group, and as individuals on the court, and off the court. We are really going to miss them when that time comes.”

The Terriers have their last game this Wednesday as BU takes on Maine in Case Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.