Nov. 24, 2009

Box Score | Moran's Postgame Comments | Highlights

BOSTON - Freshman Caitlynn Moran poured in a career-high 24 points and sophomore Alex Young added 19, as the Boston University women's basketball (2-3) held off a late rally from cross-town rival Northeastern, 83-78, on Tuesday night at The Roof. Freshman Chantell Alford and senior Aly Hinton chipped in 14 and 12 points, respectively in the home victory.

BU led by 23 at the half, however, the Huskies did not relent as the chipped away at the lead and drew as close as four points late in the second half. Moran and Hinton were clutch at the free throw line as they hit 5-of-6 in the final minute to hold on for the victory.

Moran led all scorers with 24 points on 9-for-17 shooting and 3-for-6 from behind the arc, to go along with six assists and three steals. Young was 8-for-14 from the field, while Alford added a career-best 14 points. Hinton was a sterling 8-for-8 from the charity stripe and she pulled down seven boards.

The Terriers forced 16 miscues in the game and capitalized on their opportunities as they scored 22 points off turnovers. BU's bench made a big contribution to the game as it scored 19 points, while NU got seven points off the bench.

To start the game, both teams came out firing on all cylinders as there were eight lead changes in the first ten minutes of the game and by the 11:33 mark, BU held the slight 19-16 edge. Four minutes later, BU would go on the largest run of the game as it went on a 25-6 tear as Young scored nine points during that span and Moran hit eight. At the break, BU maintained the 50-27 advantage and was shooting 51.5 percent from the field.

In the second half, Northeastern refused to go quietly as chipped away at the lead right off the bat with four quick points in the first minute, and a 13-5 run over six minutes in the middle part of the stanza reduced BU's lead to just nine points, 67-58, with six minutes remaining.

BU upped its lead to led 10 points, 73-63, on a three-point play from Alford, however, a resilient Huskies side made it a two-possession game with 2:58 remaining when Kashaia Cannon nailed one of NU's six second-half 3-pointers. Clutch free-throw shooting from Hinton and Moran down the stretch maintained BU's lead as it held on for the five-point victory.

BU will enjoy a short holiday break before returning to action on Wednesday (Dec. 2) when it travels to Brown for a 7 p.m. contest.