Boston University
12-9, 9-0AE
New Hampshire
6-15, 3-6AE
Women's Basketball Knocks Off New Hampshire, 66-62
January 29, 2011 | Women's Basketball
BOSTON - With 10 seconds left on the clock and the Boston University women's basketball team (12-9, 9-0 AE) up by just two points, senior Kat Briggs stole the ball under the BU basket and then converted on two free throws to secure a 66-62 victory over New Hampshire (6-15, 3-6 AE) on Saturday afternoon at Case Gym.
BU was up by as much as 13 points in the second half, but UNH came storming back on a 21-6 run to take a 57-55 lead with 4:45 remaining. A quick three from junior Alex Young regained the advantage for the Terriers and they pushed it to seven points, 64-57, with just under three minutes to go. For the remaining two minutes of regulation, the Wildcats stayed within one possession and drew as close as two points with 1:23 showing on the scoreboard.
Then with just 10 seconds left, Briggs, who had just checked back into the game, swiped the ball from UNH's Jill McDonald and was fouled immediately. The senior guard then coolly hit both free throws to complete BU's four-point triumph.
Briggs' steal and two free throws was the play of the game for BU as it earned its ninth-straight victory and remained unbeaten in conference action. She finished with five points, two rebounds and two steals. Sophomore Chantell Alford was the America East Player of the Game with 16 points on 7-for-14 shooting, including a pair of threes, and four assists, three blocks and three steals. Junior Alex Young tied Alford with a team-high 16 points, matching a career best for 3-pointers in a game (5). Additionally, sophomore Mo Moran was critical from the point with a game-high 10 assists, two blocks, four steals and just one turnover in 39 minutes. Senior Kerry Cashman hauled in 11 boards, including six offensive.
Both teams matched up statistically in most categories, however, BU's long-range shooting gave it nine more points than UNH and its bench outscored the Wildcats', 11-4.
To start the game, UNH led for the first 10 minutes of the game before the Terriers started to find their rhythm and their shots began to fall in. At 6:47, Briggs nailed a 3-pointer right in front of the UNH bench to give BU a 22-18 edge and forced the visitors to call a timeout to regroup. The 3-pointer gave the Terriers enough momentum to push the lead out to five points and by the end of the stanza they led, 32-27.
In the second half, BU took control of the game extending its lead into double digits at the 14:38 mark and they stretched it to as much as 13 points, 49-36, at 12:24. However, an impressive 21-6 run from UNH caused the game to go right down to the wire as BU held a one-possession lead for the final minute and a half until Briggs went to the line with 10 seconds remaining to round out the scoring at 66-62.
The Terriers next face Maine on Tuesday (Feb. 1) at 7 p.m. in Orono.
