SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Led by 56 points from its bench and a hot-shooting third quarter, the Boston University women's basketball team powered past Bryant, 78-61, in its first-ever series matchup Wednesday night at the Chace Athletic Center.
 
How it Happened

• BU opened the game with a trio of free throws before Bryant reeled off a 7-0 run to claim the lead three minutes in.
• Nia Irving heated up to close out the first, netting eight of BU's next nine points over the last four minutes to put BU on top, 16-15.
• Following a Naiyah Thompson fastbreak layup to tie the game at 18-all, Irving and Tenisha Pressley connected on back-to-back shots to reclaim the upper hand for the Terriers, 23-18, with six minutes left before the break.
• Irving continued to dominate the first half, finishing with 16 points on 8-of-8 shooting, while adding five rebounds to send BU into the break with a 33-26 lead.
• Sophie Beaudry and Katie Nelson kept the momentum on BU's side as they kicked off the third quarter with an 8-3 run, extending the Terriers advantage to 41-29.
• From there, BU caught fire from the floor, as it hit nine of its first 11 shots (81.8 percent) to start the third en route to staking a 60-43 command heading into the final frame.
• Pressley caught the hot hand to close out the game, finishing with a career-high 15 points, including 12 in the second half, as BU won handily.

Game Notes

• BU is off to its first 4-2 start since the 2007-08 season.
• The 27 points in the third marked BU's highest output in a single quarter this season. During the frame, the Terriers hit on 10-of-19 from the floor (52.2 percent) and 4-of-5 (80 percent) from beyond-the-arc.
• BU's bench account for 71 percent of its scoring total on the night.
• Irving posted game-highs of 16 points and seven rebounds.
• Vanessa Edgehill set a season-high with 11 points, while Thompson reached double-digit scoring figures for the second straight game with 12 points.
• Nelson dished out a game-high six assists and Beaudry led all players with three blocks.

Up Next

• The Terriers will stay on the road and head to Vermont for a 2 p.m. contest on Sunday, Dec. 3.