Nov. 12, 2012

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Postgame Comments: Coach Greenberg and C. Alford

BOSTON – Senior Chantell Alford scored a career-high 30 points, but the Boston University women's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking 60-57 decision to No. 14/22 West Virginia on Monday night at Case Gym.

Alford made a pair of free throws to tie the game, 57-57, with 29 seconds remaining in regulation, but West Virginia’s Ayana Dunning connected on three-of-four opportunities from the charity stripe in the final seconds to give the Mountaineers the lead. Alford attempted a last-second half-court shot that hit the rim as time expired and WVU secured the 60-57 victory. With the loss, BU moves to 1-1 on the season while WVU improves to 2-0.

Against BU’s highest ranked opponent since facing No. 16 Ohio State in 2007, Alford led all players for the second consecutive game as she tallied a career-high of 30 points. The senior matched her career best with six made 3-pointers and was just shy of a double-double, as she hauled down nine boards.

Senior Mo Moran was second on the team with 12 points and dished out five assists while junior Whitney Turner recorded eight rebounds for the second consecutive game.

The Mountaineers were led by Dunning’s 16 points and 11 rebounds. Averee Fields and Crysteal Leary also scored in double digits with 11 points each.

The game featured six ties and four lead changes as the Terriers held a 33-28 advantage at the half. BU shot 55.6 percent in the opening frame while WVU was limited to a 27.8 percent clip.

 It was a back and forth battle throughout the first 20 minutes and the teams were knotted at 28-28 with 45 seconds remaining in the half. Junior Rashidat Agboola broke the tie with a cut to the basket and Moran drained a 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining to send the Terriers to the locker room holding a 33-28 advantage.

BU entered the second half poised to knock off its first ranked opponent since defeating No. 24 Vermont, 73-64, Jan. 18, 2010, at Case Gym. The Terriers pushed their lead out to eight at 45-37 with 12:32 remaining in the game but the Mountaineers embarked on a 8-0 run that was capped with a free throw from Bria Holmes to tie the game at 45-45 with 10:33 to play.

Holmes gave WVU its first lead since the 2:59 mark of the first half when she drained a 3-pointer with 8:53 to play. The basket started a 12-3 run for the Mountaineers down the stretch and WVU held a 57-50 advantage with 3:51 remaining in regulation.

Alford ignited a 7-0 run with a jumper at the 2:59 mark and then tied the game for the sixth time with a pair of shots from the charity stripe with 29 seconds remaining in regulation. With WU holding possession, BU had to foul and sent Dunning to line with four seconds to play.

Dunning sank her first of two opportunities and the Mountaineers corralled the offensive rebound, forcing BU to foul again. Dunning went to the line and sunk her final two chances with two seconds remaining to cap off WVU’s second-half comeback.

The roles were reversed in the second half, as WVU shot 50.0 percent from the field while BU posted a 27.6 percent clip. BU struggled at the foul line throughout the game, converting on 13-of-21 chances (61.9 percent) while WVU went 17-for-24 (70.8 percent) at the charity stripe.

BU concludes its three-game home stand to open the season on Friday (Nov. 16) when the Terriers host Richmond at Case Gym. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.