Women's Hoop Team Opens In B.U. Invitational
November 16, 2000 | Women's Basketball
BOSTON -- The Terrier women's basketball team will tap off its 2000-2001 season on Saturday afternoon (November 18th) by hosting the First Annual Boston University Women's Basketball Invitational on The Roof at Case Gymnasium.
The Terriers will meet Yale University at 1:00 p.m., and that will be followed at 3:00 p.m. when Baylor University takes on Miami University of Ohio.
The two winners will play at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday with a consolation game scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
Tickets are $5.00 for adults, while children, students, and youth groups will be admitted free. Youth groups should call the Boston University ticket office (617-353-3838) to arrange for the tickets.
Hosting a tournament of this nature was one of the goals established by Margaret McKeon when she took over the Terrier head coaching reigns prior to last season.
"I am very happy that the Boston University administration has been so supportive that we are able to host this tournament in just my second year here," said the coach.
"I am very excited that we are finally starting the season," McKeon went on. "It is doubly exciting that we are hosting something that's as new and fresh as this tournament.
"My goal in bringing in these three teams was to show our players and fans three different styles of basketball," said the coach. "I also wanted them to see teams from big-time conferences.
"We plan to make the NCAA Tournament, and these are the types of teams that we would have to play in the tournament."
Yale The Elis have four starters back from last year's team that finished fourth in the Ivy League. Their top player is Maria Smear, who was on the All-Ivy Rookie Team last year.
"They have a much-improved team over a year ago," said McKeon. "They also have five freshmen on this year's team. I expect we will have a grind-out type of game with them."
Baylor First-year coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson, who was on the U.S. 1984 gold medal winning Olympic women's basketball team, coaches the Bears. Their top player is Danielle Cockrom, who averaged 12.0 ppg and 7.2 rpg last year.
"They are a very athletic team," said McKeon. "They have an exciting backcourt and a dominant inside game."
Miami of Ohio The RedHawks finished second in the Mid-American Conference East Division last year. They return their top two scorers from last season--Jenny Martin (13.0 ppg) and Heather Cusick (11.9 ppg).
"They have a great three-point shooting team," said McKeon. "Overall, they shoot the ball very well."
The Terrier coach then turned her attention to her team's progress during the pre-season.
"Our pre-season has been terrific," beamed the coach. "We have a great mix of veteran players returning along with excellent freshmen. They have been picking up the system very well.
"Our plans our to play an up-tempo game this year," McKeon went on. "Last year, we were a half-court team. This year, we are going to run the fast break. Everyone will have the freedom to take the shot if it's there."
The Terriers return all five starters from a year ago.
Heading the list is senior Alison Dixon (Norwood), who will enter the season as the Terriers' fifth all-time leading scorer with 1,292 points. However, she is 600 points shy of Debbie Miller's career record of 1,869. A second team All-Conference pick last year, Dixon has averaged 15.6 ppg a game during her three-year career.
"I think our new fast break system will benefit Ali," said McKeon. "In this way, defenses won't be able to concentrate on her as our other players will have the freedom to shoot when it's there."
The other returning starters are sophomore guard Alison Argentieri (Hornell, NY), who led the team in assists last year with 100; junior guard/forward Dia Dufault (Malone, NY), who led the team in steals with 56; junior forward Anne Nelson (Blue Bell, PA), who had a team-high 18 blocks; and junior guard Annie Tomasini (Boston), who was third on the team in assists (59) and fourth in steals (41).
In addition, this year's freshman class includes five players who signed during the early signing period. They were guards Courtney Jones (Lafayette Hill, PA), Lashaunda Mitchell (Oyster Bay, NY), Katie Terhune (Port Murray, NJ), and forwards Ashley Carr (Milwaukee, WI) and Marisa Moseley (Springfield).
