It took no more than five seconds of the Boston University women’s basketball team’s 80-61 victory over the University of Maine to know that Rachel Vanderwal’s 100th career game at BU would be a special one.
The Stoney Creek, Ontario native took a tip pass from junior forward Erica Kovach and laid the ball in for an easy, and quick, two.
“I think right from the tip when E[rika] got me the ball, I knew it would be a good game,” Vanderwal said. “Going into the game, I just tried to be aggressive.”
That aggressiveness led to an 11-2 BU lead only three minutes into the game. After sophomore guard Cheri Raffo connected on a shot from beyond the arc, Vanderwal hit two more trifectas within 34 seconds of one another to aid the early scoring onslaught. The talented senior guard finished with 3-of-3 shooting from downtown.
Vanderwal has been no stranger to scoring binges, as she recorded double digits in points for the fourth consecutive game and the 10th time this season. Vanderwal and the Terriers have been producing so well offensively, in fact, that in their last three games they have outscored their opponents by an average of 19 points. In addition, this was BU’s third contest of the season in which four players had 10 or more points.
“I think Vanderwal, Raffo and Meinhardt are three of the toughest guards in the league,” said Maine coach Ann McInerney. “I like the way Vanderwal plays the game, I think she plays hard and has a great presence on the floor.”
What makes Vanderwal’s 17-point, nine-rebound, three-assist performance even more impressive is that it came on the biggest stage the Terriers have played on all season. In their first and only trip to Agganis Arena this year, BU certainly gave the NESN audience a very energetic and entertaining performance.
In addition to the emphasis that BU coach Kelly Greenberg puts on bringing energy to every game, she tends not to dwell on statistics. Vanderwal and her teammates most certainly follow that example.
“I had no idea during the game,” Vanderwal said, after finding out she led the team in three statistical categories. “I just try to play as hard as I can for the team, and do whatever I can to help us win.”
Not only did Vanderwal not know she led the team statistically, but she had no idea she was playing in her 100th career game (98th consecutive) until the contest was over.
“Geez, you are old,” Greenberg said.
Whether it’s a standout individual performance or the entire team contributing toward the winning cause, BU seems to have hit its stride in the heart of the conference play. Vanderwal is certainly a huge part of that.
“It’s definitely a big win for us.” Vanderwal said. “Playing at Agganis is an awesome environment and we brought a lot of energy to the win. It’s a great win and I think we have to keep going, we’re on a little streak here, and we have to take that into the tournament.”