Terriers Set For Clash With Catamounts Wednesday
January 8, 2013 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 8, 2013
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Agboola Earns America East Player of the Week Accolades
BOSTON - Playing on its home court for the first time in 2013, the Boston University women’s basketball team returns to Case Gym to host Vermont on Wednesday (Jan. 9). Tip-off of the America East battle is scheduled for 5 p.m.
The Terriers return home for the first time since Dec. 10, and are riding a nine-game winning streak, which is tied for the fifth-longest win streak in all of Division I. With their 12-3 overall record and 2-0 mark in America East play, the Terriers rank No. 41 in the first NCAA RPI rankings of the season, released on Jan. 7.
During BU’s win streak, the Terriers have limited opponents to 47.9 ppg while scoring 64.4 ppg for a +16.6 scoring margin. The nine-game winning streak marks the longest win streak for the Terriers since BU won 13 straight America East games last season.
BU boasts the conference’s second-best scoring offense with 63.0 ppg while their scoring defense also ranks second, allowing 52.9 ppg. Much of BU’s offensive success can be attributed to the Terriers’ efficiency from the 3-point line. BU is one of two teams in the country, the other being Connecticut, that ranks in the top 10 in 3-pointers made and 3-point field goal percentage. The Terriers are shooting 38.8 percent from beyond the arc, which ranks ninth in Division I, while scoring 8.5 3-pointers per game, which ranks eighth.
A trio of Terriers average double-digit scoring performances with senior Chantell Alford leading the league with 17.5 ppg. Junior Rashidat Agboola ranks second on the team with 11.6 ppg while senior Mo Moran is third with 10.3 ppg. Agboola is the league’s top rebounder with 9.3 boards per game while Moran leads the America East, and ranks 10th in the nation, with 6.9 apg.
Agboola became the third Terrier to be honored as the America East Player of the Week this season when she received the award on Monday, Jan. 7, after leading BU to a pair of victories last week. The forward led the tea m with 17.5 ppg and a 8.5 rpg in BU’s two contests last week.
Vermont arrives in Boston with a 4-10 record and a 1-0 mark in America East play after curbing a five-game losing streak with a 63-60 victory over New Hampshire on Wednesday, Jan. 2. Vermont’s leading scorer is Lauren Buschmann, who is averaging 8.2 ppg, while Niki Taylor and Tierra Shumpert both add 8.1 ppg coming off the bench. Buschmann also leads the team with 5.4 rpg.
The Catamounts average 53.4 ppg and are shooting 34.0 percent from the field. Vermont has capitalized on the boards, owning an average of 39.0 rpg, which ranks second in the America East. The Catamounts are giving up 64.8 ppg and rank last in the conference with a 41.8 field goal percentage defense.
Wednesday’s game marks the 71st meeting between the two conference rivals with the Terriers holding a 40-30 edge in the series. The two teams have met at least once every season since 1978. The Terriers have won the last five meetings including a season sweep of the series in 2011-12.
BU remains at home this weekend and welcomes Binghamton to Case Gym on Saturday (Jan. 12). Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the game will be the first in a doubleheader with the Terriers’ men’s team, which is scheduled to play Binghamton at 3 p.m.
Saturday is Youth Basketball Day at Case Gym. All youth basketball teams who purchase group tickets will be eligible to win a private practice with the BU Basketball teams. There will also be a post-game shoot around with the teams following the men’s game. For more information click here. Also, the first 500 fans will receive a free mini basketball hoop.
