The Boston University women’s basketball team ended 2010 with a 3-9 record, which was unexpected from the preseason America East favorite. However, since the new year has arrived the Terriers have been unstoppable, winning their last five games.
The team went 1-5 in December, including losses to the University of Rhode Island, St. John’s University, Northeastern University, Marist College and Providence College. While the team faced some high-quality opponents in their final six non-conference games, the Terriers took each loss as an opportunity to learn from their mistakes.
“I think every game that you lose is a tough loss,” said junior guard Alex Young. “I think the game against Providence, we really felt we could play with them and we really felt we could win, and that was a tough loss.”
The Terriers had a very tough non-conference schedule to begin the season, facing Boston College, University of Texas, St. John’s and Marist, all very strong programs. However, the strength of their early-season opponents appears to have made BU tougher and better prepared to face their AE opponents.
“Our [non-conference] schedule was really tough, and we knew that,” said senior center Kerry Cashman. “It was hard to have a couple of losses when we have been so used to doing well.”
Another factor contributing to those losses could have been the lack of rest in between games, as the Terriers played five games within the first 11 days of December, four of which they lost. But since the team’s 20-day holiday rest, the team is 5-1.
One of the most evident improvements over the last five wins has been the team defense. The Terriers have only allowed more than 45 points in one of the past five games. In games BU has lost this year, the Terriers have given up an average of 71 points. In games the Terriers have won, they allow an average of 49.
“I think that we took those losses and the toughness of our preseason and understood that it would make us that much better for conference, and we have definitely stepped it up,” Cashman said.
The Terriers definitely picked the right time to step up their play. With their five-game winning streak, the team has jumped out into first place in AE despite an 8-9 overall record. BU handed University at Albany their first in-conference loss on Jan. 15 before topping University of Maryland-Baltimore County on Jan. 17.
“It’s always very tough to lose,” Cashman said. “I think we knew in our minds that by the time season came we would be united as a team and ready to come out and play against our conference.”
Whatever the turning point was for BU, they are definitely glad it happened.
“I just think we were tired of losing,” Young said. “When you lose so many games it’s trying. We just learned from every game and every loss.”
The Terriers are heading into their next game against last place Stony Brook University on the road playing their best basketball of the season. If they can keep up this pace the rest of the season, the future is bright for BU.
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