After falling to American University in the Patriot League Tournament over spring break, the Boston University women’s basketball team’s season came to a close, marking the end of a disappointing campaign.
The Terriers (3-27, 3-15 Patriot League) finished the 2015-16 campaign with two less wins than they had the year before. This season, BU was winless in the first half of the season and didn’t earn its first win until it got the best of American University (8-23, 5-13 Patriot League) on Jan. 13. On the bright side, the Terriers improved their record in the Patriot League by one game from last year.
BU head coach Katy Steding spoke candidly about how the season unfolded.
“I don’t think we achieved any of our stated goals,” Steding said. “We didn’t have success. We, as a group, recognize that we didn’t do [what we] set out to do. The lack of wins is something that will stick with them, and we’ve got to circle the wagons and get back to work.”
Though much of the season was marred by wide margins of defeat, it offered many lessons and a few highlights that are worth remembering. For example, Steding won her first road game at the helm of the Terriers with a 71-58 victory Feb. 17 at Colgate University.
But perhaps the most exciting moment of the Terriers’ season was a dramatic, comeback victory over the United States Naval Academy on Feb. 4. With 0.6 seconds left, graduate student guard Troi Melton’s inbound lob pass found junior guard Sarah Hope in stride near the basket.
Hope caught and put the ball up in one motion, and it fell through the net as time expired, sending Case Gym into a frenzy. The buzzer beater highlight was picked up by ESPN and earned a spot in the network’s Top 10 Plays rundown.
“We had a lot of great memories,” Steding said. “The buzzer beater was a complete team effort. Coaches were working on the play, and different players had to do everything right at the right time. They had to be on the same page with each other to accomplish that play.”
This year’s Terriers squad was a young bunch, with only two seniors. BU will say goodbye to Melton and guard Clodagh Scannell. Melton played in all 30 games, starting 20. She finished the season averaging 8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Scannell started 11 of the 29 games she played in, averaging 2.3 points per game.
“It’s mixed feelings [seeing the seniors leave],” Steding said. “You’re happy for them and all that they’ve accomplished in their four years: the impact they’ve had on their teammates, the legacy they leave behind, the things that they have to look forward to in the future. We’ll be looking to fill some pretty big leadership shoes. They’re two of the more competitive people that I’ve ever coached.”
The rest of the Terriers will return, including six players who started double-digit starts this year. They will also welcome junior center Sophie Beaudry, who sat out this season after transferring from Monmouth University.
Overall, the 2015-16 season was a season of growth for a young BU team, Steding said. Looking ahead to next year, she hopes that a more experienced and disciplined squad will lead to more wins.
“One nice thing about this season is that even though we didn’t have great consistency, everybody had great moments from top to bottom,” Steding said. “There were a lot of good individual performances, but in order to win, you’ve really got to do it as a team, and that is going to be our focus during spring and summer.”
Good luck next year, Coach Steding!