Feb. 9, 2008

Box Score

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Junior Christine Kinneary led with a career-high 20 points, however, the Boston University women's basketball team fell, 61-54, to Hartford on Saturday afternoon at Chase Arena. BU falls to 12-10 overall and 5-4 in the America East, while the Hawks improve to 18-4 overall and 8-1 in conference play in their eight consecutive win.

Kinneary was 9-for-16 from the floor, dished out two assists and earned three steals to earn America East's Player of the Game honors, while classmate Jesyka Burks-Wiley was the other Terrier in double figures with 11 points on 5-for-10 shooting. Sophomore Aly Hinton was the team's leading rebounding in the loss with nine boards. BU shot 42.1 percent (24-for-57) for the game and out-rebounded the Hawks, 37-34, however, Hartford was 19-for-25 from the line, which made the difference in the final score.

BU was able to penetrate the Hartford defense out-scoring the hosts, 36-20, in the paint, while also posting 19 points off 15 turnovers. The Hawks' bench was able to notch 18 points off their bench.

Through the first seven minutes of the contest, the Terriers and Hawks battled back-and-forth trading baskets on both ends and Danielle Hood scored all of Hartford's first seven points, while BU spread out its scoring between four different Terriers. BU and Hartford remained within four points of each other throughout the entire first half, as both teams were plagued by turnovers and low-shooting percentages. BU was 9-for-28 (32.1 percent) and 0-8 from the arc, while Hartford was 6-for-24 (25.0 percent) and 1-for-10 from 3-point range.

At the break, the Hawks' Danielle Hood lead all scorers with nine points, while Kinneary had a team-high six points, including a layup with three seconds left to tie the game at 19 going into halftime.

In the second half, the Hawks opened on a 9-2 run to jump out to a 27-21 lead at 15:42. Over the next five minutes, the Terriers battled their way back into it to cut the deficit to three points at 12:52 on a layup by junior Kristi Dini. On the next possession, Dini knotted the score at 29 on a trey from the corner.

After trading baskets through the middle of the second half, Hartford hit back-to-back field goals to move the score to 40-35 with 8:03 left. Hinton converted on a three-point play to bring the deficit back to one possession. The then Hawks went on another 7-0 spurt to go up again with 4:57 left on a trey, however junior Amarachi Umez-Eronini scored on four consecutive points to quickly close the gap, 50-46.

In the final two minutes of action, the Hawks went to the foul line and converted on 9-of-12 attempts, and the Terriers clutch shooting put BU to within five points, 56-51, with under a minute to go. Hartford went back to the line to hit three final free throws to hold on for the win.

BU will return to Case Gym on Wednesday, Feb. 13 to host Binghamton at 7:00 p.m. The Terriers will be participating in the WBCA's "Think Pink" initiative to raise awareness for breast cancer. Wear pink or be one of the first 1,000 through the door for the official BU Think Pink t-shirt. Purchase a full priced ticket on game day and $3.00 will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Mass Affiliate.