Basketball, Sports

Women’s basketball commemorates seniors before game on Senior Day

A dominant win over the University of Maryland-Baltimore County was not the only thing the audience took away from Saturday afternoon’s basketball action, as the Boston University women’s basketball team also celebrated Senior Day.

The team recognized the four seniors who have helped lead the Terriers (23-5, 13-2 America East) to 79 wins during their tenures at BU.

Before Saturday’s game, guards Mo Moran, Chantell Alford, Kristen Sims and forward Jacqueline Kuczynski were honored in front of a packed Case Gym. The seniors, escorted by their parents, were led out to midcourt, where they received flowers and a hug from coach Kelly Greenberg.

Greenberg said it was a bittersweet moment, and praised the players she has coached and watched during the past four years.

“All four of them are just tremendous,” Greenberg said. “To watch them and be a part of their growth process in their college years has been really quite special for me.

“They’ve really made an impact on all of their teammates, and not just the ones who are here now … They left their mark as a group, and as individuals, both on the court and off the court.”

Kuczynski, from Springfield, N.J., was a solid contributor off the bench for the Terriers, appearing in 35 games for during her tenure. Unfortunately, she missed the entire 2012-13 season due to injury.

Sims, from Richmond, Va., has started all 28 games for the Terriers this season, averaging 7.1 points per game and 3.8 rebounds. She scored a career-high 19 points this season Nov. 24 against the University of Michigan. A versatile guard who was also deadly from 3-point range, Sims played 111 games for the Terriers, starting in 29.

Moran, from Hopewell Junction, N.Y., is one of the most consistent players in program history, recording a school-record 4,389 minutes during her time at BU. Moran, who leads all America East players in assists per game (5.9), finished the last two seasons second in assists amongst conference players.

Named a member of the America East All-Conference Third Team and unanimous All-Rookie Team her freshman year, Moran was later named All-Conference Second Team her sophomore year and All-Conference First Team her junior year. Moran’s 548 career assists are second all-time in BU women’s basketball history.

Alford, from West Haven, Conn., is one of the most dynamic offensive players ever to play for the Terriers, leading the team in scoring all four years of her collegiate career.

A two-time America East Player of the Year, as well as America East Rookie of the Year during the 2009-10 season, Alford is leading all America East players in scoring (16.6 ppg) during her senior year, recording over 20 points in a game nine times this season, including a career-high 30 points against West Virginia University Nov. 12.

Alford ranks third all-time in program history with 1,747 points, as well as first in program history in 3-pointers made, with 239.

Saturday’s victory over UMBC (10-17, 6-8 America East) reinforced the impact that these seniors have had on the team this season. Alford and Moran combined to score 40 points for the Terriers, while Sims pulled down seven rebounds.

Alford, who scored 26 points, spoke about the significance of playing well on Senior Day.

“It meant everything,” Alford said. “Four years seems like a long time, but it goes by fast. We just wanted to come out here and play like we know how to play … It was just a big win on a great day.”

In the final minutes of the game Saturday, Greenberg took all of her seniors out of the game to the roars of the crowd chanting, “Thank you, seniors.” As those cheers filled Case Gym, it became clear — these seniors may be leaving, but their legacies at BU will not be forgotten.

“They’re wonderful people,” Greenberg said. “Their families have been wonderful, and we’re really going to miss them.”

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