If one thing is certain, it’s that when the Boston University women’s basketball team is in trouble, it knows it can rely on junior guard Chantell Alford to pull it through.
After entering the second half Wednesday night down 35-30 against the University of Vermont (9-14, 3-7 America East), the Terriers (16-6, 9-0 America East) outscored their conference opponents in the back half of the game to ultimately remain undefeated in America East and win 72-64.
No player had a larger impact on the game than Alford. At the end of the first half, the guard had nine points, and by the end of the game she had scored 28, hitting four 3-pointers in the second half alone.
“You know Chantell’s setting up the end of the game,” said BU coach Kelly Greenberg, “[She’s] going inside and good things happen, so we’re really in a position where we’re relying on each other.”
BU definitely relied on Alford, as she scored two 3-pointers to open up the second half and bring her team back into the game. Throughout the first few minutes of the second half, she was the guiding force for the Terriers, pulling them back into the game every time Vermont pulled ahead again.
“I felt it, when Chantell was really knocking down threes,” Greenberg said. “You know, they’re really defeating to another team.”
Alford shot 5-for-6 (83.3 percent) from long range and her 28 points marked a season-high, falling only one point short of tying her 29-point career high, which she accomplished during a game against Vermont last season.
About nine minutes into the half, Alford broke the 20-point mark, swishing a 3-pointer to hit 22 points.
She would keep the points coming for the rest of the game, scoring around the six minute mark to move the Terriers ahead 61-60. They never relinquished the lead.
Her stellar performance in the second half reflected Alford’s own never give up work ethic as she emphasized how important it was to make sure the Terriers were playing their game.
“I think it comes down to heart and just playing tough out there. Just knowing that the game isn’t over, that there’s still time on the clock,” Alford said. “And when there’s time on the clock, there’s time to come back.”
Despite Alford’s modesty, Greenberg is not afraid to speak of the importance of a player who can help pull her team back together during a tough game.
“[It was] perfect timing,” Greenberg said. “And we needed it because no one else was really scoring much, so it was great.”
This reliance on Alford’s play led to a big scare for the team and the crowd when, with 3:17 left to play in the game, Alford was knocked to the ground and didn’t immediately get back up. After both Greenberg and the trainer came out, Alford was helped off the court and onto the sidelines.
Alford eventually returned to the game to a standing ovation with 1:06 left to play.
The injury did not appear to be too serious though.
Alford said, “It’s alright. Just put some ice on it, it’ll be fine.”
Alford reflected upon the importance of playing as a team, acknowledging her own game, but ultimately putting faith in the strength of the team.
“It wasn’t one of our best games but, at the end of the day, we found a way, we came out with a win,” Alford said. “Everyone stayed grounded and managed to get it done.
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