Three days removed from a thrilling 72-62 comeback victory over the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, the Boston University women’s basketball team plays host to the University of Vermont tomorrow afternoon at Case Gymnasium.
The Catamounts (14-5, 5-1 America East) are second in the conference — one game ahead of the third-place Terriers (11-8, 4-2).
Given BU’s maddening roller coaster ride of momentous wins and discouraging losses, fans have to wonder how the team isn’t suffering from serious whiplash. While the Terriers have struggled on the road — five losses in their last six away from Case — they have been dominant at The Roof, sporting a 6-1 home record. The only loss came in mid-November at the hands of nationally-ranked Ohio State University at Agganis Arena.
Regardless of venue, the Terriers have been plagued by the inability to open strong, routinely falling behind early and forced to fight back in numerous games. At home, the Terriers have managed to bounce back from unsatisfactory first halves, such as Wednesday’s 16-point deficit to UMBC.
“[The slow starts are] something we’ve talked about,” said BU assistant coach Michael Leflar. “We just always want to come out as prepared as possible. [With] our pre-game routine, we’ve tried to go as hard as possible so we’re really working up a sweat.
“Hopefully that translates to the game and we get off to a great start.”
Tomorrow, the Terriers will have the services of seniors Kasey Devine (24.8 minutes per game, 9.8 points per game) and Corrine Jean (12.4 MPG, 4.3 PPG), both of whom missed time recently with injuries.
Devine, a 6-foot-3 forward, is one of the team’s strongest interior players, averaging 5.4 rebounds per game. She missed Wednesday’s contest with flu-like symptoms, and has played limited minutes for much of the season due to lingering back and knee injuries. Devine is expected to return to practice today, and should be available for Saturday’s game.
Jean, who suffered an ankle injury during Tuesday’s practice, did not play Wednesday night. She took part in drills at yesterday’s practice, and is expected to be 100 percent for today’s practice. Jean, one of the team’s numerous bench players who have stepped up at various times this season, is shooting an impressive 36.5-percent from 3-point land.
Leflar predicted that Saturday’s game will be an exciting contest, as both teams thrive on forcing turnovers and running the fastbreak.
“The one thing [UVM] likes to do is run,” Leflar said. “It’s something we like to do as well. Stopping their transition game is huge for us. One of their players, Courtney Pilypaitis, is very good with the ball and very good without the ball. Limiting their transition opportunities and not allowing her to penetrate and kick to open teammates [will be key].”
Pilypaitis, last year’s consensus choice for America East Rookie of the Year, is averaging 15 points per game this season — the fourth-best total in the conference. The sophomore has been particularly productive in conference play, posting 18.7 points per game.
Offensively, Leflar said the Terriers will rely on their energy and skill to attack the Catamounts.