Basketball, Sports

Starters lead BU to win over Spiders

On the strength of double-digit scoring from four different players, the Boston University women’s basketball team defeated the University of Richmond 70–61.

Junior forward Rashidat Agboola. MICHELLE JAY/DAILY FREE PRESS FILE PHOTO

“It came right down to toughness, and we really out-toughed them,” said BU coach Kelly Greenberg.

With the Terriers (2–1) consistently harassing the ball handler and keeping the Spiders (1–2) on their heels with man-to-man and zone defenses, they forced the Spiders into 20 turnovers.

Post players also contributed to the Terriers’ increased toughness, as they were able to win the points-in-the-paint differential, outscoring Richmond 12–8.

Coming off of a strong showing against West Virginia, the Terriers were looking to close out their three-game home stand with a winning record.

From the opening tip, the Terriers looked to be much smaller than Richmond. However, their balanced offense attacked every aspect of the Spider defense and helped the Terriers pick up the win.

Senior guard Chantell Alford was stellar once again, netting 18 points on 8-of-18 from the field and 2-of-6 from beyond the arc.

Junior forward Rashidat Agboola also played well. She achieved her first double-double of the season and the ninth of her career, posting 12 points and 14 rebounds, two of which were key offensive rebounds that led to BU points.

Agboola also played a significant role in providing insurance for the Terriers down the stretch. She made two free throws late in the second half that solidified the victory. She went 6-for-9 from the stripe on the game.

Defensively, the Terriers’ front court allowed nine layups in the first half, but they tightened up the pressure down low with help from the guards and the sense of urgency from their post players.

“We were giving up a lot layups and a lot of easy looks,” Agboola said. “So in the second half we made adjustments. We made sure we stayed on our feet. We stayed in front of people, and on screens we adjusted for that.”

Senior guard Mo Moran put up 13 points and eight assists on 4-of-10 shooting and 2-of-5 from 3-point range. Moran, who handled the point guard position for the majority of her 39 minutes, consistently got to the rim.

She finished with contact and dished the ball to her teammates open on the wings or in the corner.

Junior forward Whitney Turner also scored double-digits, scoring 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting and knocking down both of her free throws.

Her presence in the middle was crucial, as she was able to establish herself on each block and generate offense.

Early in the contest, the Terriers came out with a stout man-to-man defense that resulted in a steal from Alford. Moran then pushed the ball up the court and fed the ball to senior guard Kristen Sims, who pulled up on the fast break and knocked down a jump shot from the right wing.

As a team, the Terriers showed more improvement in this game as they continue to transition into mid-season form. The Terriers only committed 11 turnovers compared to the 23 in their previous game.

Their free throws also improved as they shot 66 percent against the Spiders and got to the line 18 times.

The Terriers will head out for their first road test of the season as they take on Northeastern University uesday night at 7 p.m.

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