After a Senior Day victory against the College of the Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon, the Boston University women’s basketball team is looking to cap its regular season with a win at the United States Military Academy on Wednesday.
The Terriers (12-16, 10-7 Patriot League) were knocked out of contention for home court in the quarterfinals of the Patriot League Tournament when they were defeated by the Black Knights (21-7, 10-5 Patriot League) 64-52 in their first matchup one week ago in Case Gym.
Both teams shot under 38 percent from the field, an abysmal rate. Additionally, there were 41 total turnovers, contributing to a sloppy game. The Terriers were outplayed in the second half on both ends and did not capitalize on numerous free throw opportunities, making only 50 percent of their free throws. On the other end, the Black Knights converted 77.8 percent of their free throw attempts.
In the rematch against the Black Knights, the Terriers are looking to sharpen these missteps. Rebounding, free throws and defense are all focal points of BU head coach Katy Steding’s strategy against Army.
“One of the things for us, we have to make ourselves be more aggressive,” Steding said. “Whether that’s passing or putting the ball on the deck, we’ve got to get the ball in the paint. Sometimes Army will really press pretty hard, even if it’s not full court, they’re kind of up in your shorts, and we talked about how we have to be more aggressive, just in terms of catching the ball and squaring up right away and putting the ball where we need it.”
The Terriers had 10 steals in the previous meeting because of successful double-teams on defense. Trapping has not only been a staple of Steding’s defensive strategy, but it has also led to easy baskets on the other end.
BU can expect another aggressive performance from Army guard Aliyah Murray, who had 16 rebounds in the previous matchup. In an effort to prevent Murray from dominating the game, the Terriers will need big rebounding and defensive performances from junior center Sophie Beaudry and freshman forward Nia Irving.
Additionally, BU needs impactful contributions from its seniors. This game will be the last regular season game for guard Sarah Hope, Courtney Latham and forward Meghan Green.
Latham has not played in the last two games, and Steding said that her status will continue to be updated.
“Right now [Latham] is day-to-day,” Steding said. “She got hit in the head the other day, and we’re just trying to take it one day at a time and see how she responds to the protocol, and we’re just waiting right now.”
Despite numerous struggles that the team has endured, such as missing free throws and injured starters, the Terriers have made major improvements over previous years.
This season marks the first time in three years the team has won more than 10 regular season games and the first time in four years the team has had a winning record in conference play.
A win against Army on Wednesday night would not only even the season series between the two, but also conclude the season with a big road win as the team gears up for the playoffs.
Knowing that her team will play at American in the Patriot League quarterfinals, Steding reflected on the dramatic improvement her team has shown this season.
“I’m really proud of us,” Steding said. “We were picked 10th [in the Patriot League Preseason poll] and we finished fifth. I think the first step to bringing this program back from where we’ve been is being in the top half of the league, and we’ve accomplished that.”
She was also impressed with the newfound attitude that has spread throughout the team.
“They’re not just excited about having a better year,” she said. “They want to keep going and they want to prove that they belong in the top, that it’s not a fluke, that we didn’t just get there by accident. We did the work and we earned it. That to me is really heartening, and I’m really proud of how far this team has come.”
Jordan Green contributed to the reporting of this article.
