Junior guard and tri-captain of the Boston University women’s basketball team, Cheri Raffo had a rough start to this season. Raffo didn’t miss any starts, just as she hasn’t her entire career at BU, but everyone could tell she wasn’t 100 percent after undergoing off-season knee surgery.

The low point of the season may have been Dec. 6, when Raffo went 0-of-8 from the field, including 0-of-4 from behind the arc against Brown University at Agganis Arena, in addition to racking up a team-high four turnovers. Although the Terriers won the game, Raffo’s two-point performance (both free throws) left her with little to be happy about.

Once conference play began, however, Raffo began looking like the player that started every game her first two years at BU. She started scoring more consistently and her America East scoring average of 12.3 points per game is best on the team and 11th in conference.

“Beginning of the season, I really didn’t have my legs after surgery,” Raffo said. “It’s taken a lot to get back. I’m finally feeling a spring in my step.”

Raffo has scored in double figures in the Terriers’ last five conference match-ups. Not coincidently, the Terriers have won two of these games — their only conference wins of the season.

“She’s been playing great. I don’t think she’s had a bad game,” said BU coach Kelly Greenberg. “She definitely has her physical strength back from her knee surgery and it really shows.”

The tri-captain’s play has been especially important to BU considering the attention her fellow captain, senior Katie Meinhardt, has been attracting from defenders. As Meinhardt has struggled to score against defenses that continue to key on her, Raffo has emerged as the scoring threat she needs to be if the Terriers want to stay competitive in America East.

“She’s such a fierce competitor. She’s going to do whatever she can to help us win,” Greenberg said.

Although Raffo doesn’t think she’s at full strength yet, her recent play shows that she doesn’t have to be fully healed in order to help BU.

“I just need a good time off to get to 100 percent, but I’m feeling a lot better than I did,” Raffo said.

HOBBLED HOUNDS

Part of the reason for the Terriers’ struggles this season has undoubtedly been injuries. Although every injured Terrier has returned to the court, that certainly doesn’t mean they’re all back to full strength.

“We are kind of hobbling,” Greenberg said. “But whether we’re injured or not, we don’t want to use it as an excuse.”

Sophomore Jesyka Burks-Wiley’s injury problems have hurt the Terriers the most. Burks-Wiley was supposed to start for the Terriers this year before going down with a knee injury similar to Raffo’s just days before the first game. Although she has been playing more recently, the sophomore still isn’t at 100 percent.

“It’s hard to say when she’s going to be 100 percent,” Greenberg said. “Physically, she finally got in great shape and then the injury happened. Bringing her leg back to full strength and getting her wind back has taken some time.”

The injury bug has also bitten senior captains Erica Kovach and Meinhardt. Kovach, although playing, can usually be found limping on a bad leg. And Meinhardt is equal parts skin and tape. Still, the Terriers continue to battle on.

“Every one of our players gives everything they have, so if they’re not their complete selves we’re still going with them,” Greenberg said.

KIBBLES AND BITS

The Terriers are last in the America East in points allowed per game during conference play, surrendering an alarming 70.1 points per game. The University of New Hampshire, second worst in the conference, has allowed just 64.0 ppg

. . . BU is last in the conference in both steals and blocks. It also brings up the rear in defensive rebounds, averaging only 20.57 per game . . . The Terriers lead the conference in

3-pointers made per game, averaging 6.29 . . . BU is 0-4 on the road in conference play this year, but 2-1 at home.