Women’s basketball gets postseason berth in NIT

Before the season started, the Boston University women’s basketball knew the road to a postseason berth was going to be tough after being barred by the America East from its conference tournament. Although the Terriers (23-5, 13-2 America East) did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament, they did post good enough numbers to be able to compete in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament for the fourth time in five seasons.

The Terriers are set to face off against Sacred Heart University Thursday night.

Playing in their last season together, senior guards Chantell Alford and Mo Moran were a dynamic duo and again major factors in the team’s success.

Alford, who came into the season with three consecutive America East Player of the Year awards, did not disappoint in her final season at BU. After opening the season with 17 points against rival Boston College, she followed with a career-high 30 points in a close battle against West Virginia University, in which in the Terriers fell 67-64.

Alford has been consistent all year and has led the Terriers in points per game, averaging an impressive 16.6 points per contest, along with a team-best 42.2 percent from behind the 3-point arc. Her play this season earned her a spot on the Mid-Major All-America Third Team along with her fourth All-Conference award in the America East.

The other half of the duo did not disappoint either. Moran, in her final season with the Terriers, played strong at the point guard position. Moran led BU with 5.9 assists per game, which placed her ninth on the all-time assist list at BU. To go along with her impressive assist totals, Moran also scored 10.4 points per game, along with 4.1 rebounds per contest.

Although the Terriers have reached the WNIT four times, they have recorded only a single victory, coming back in 2009 against Central Connecticut State University. With a core group of seniors and a strong supporting cast, the Terriers look poised to go far in this year’s tournament.