BOSTON – For the first time ever, the Boston University women's basketball team advanced to the Patriot League Tournament semifinals, defeating American 46-44 in a quarterfinal matchup Monday night at Case Gym.
Maren Durant was stellar in her postseason debut, grabbing a career-high 15 rebounds to go with 12 points for her third double-double of the season.
Riley Childs was also a force on the glass, grabbing 10 boards to help guide a 40-22 differential in rebounds over the Eagles.
Katie Nelson reached double-digit scoring figures with 11 points, while
Maggie Pina chipped in with an even 10.
How It Happened
- Durant and Nia Irving established a presence in the post to BU pull ahead, 5-2.
- Nelson put in five straight free throws as the Terriers held to a 10-7 edge at the end of the first quarter.
- Childs found Durant for an easy finish under the rim before taking it to the hole herself, pushing the gap to 14-9 to start the second.
- American took advantage of turnovers as part of a 9-0 run until Durant got the offense back on track with four straight points to knot the score, 18-18.
- Pina converted on a four-point play to spark the crowd and cap an 8-0 streak, though American battled back to make it an even 22-22 at the break.
- With neither offense able to find its groove in the third quarter, BU and American went back-and-forth as the Terriers clung to a 27-26 grip.
- Nelson kicked off the fourth frame with a hesitation drive to the basket before Childs connected from 3-point range, giving BU a two-possession lead, 32-26.
- Durant asserted herself in the paint, backing American down for back-to-back layups to maintain a six-point advantage, 36-30, with 3:48 left.
- Pina all but delivered the dagger with a mid-range jumper with 1:37 remaining, putting the score at 40-34.
- BU closed the game with a 6-for-6 clip from the charity stripe.
Game Notes
- BU won its first Patriot League Tournament game since 2014, snapping a six-game postseason skid.
- Additionally, BU earned its first postseason win against the Eagles.
- The Terriers registered their best performance from the free throw line this season, connecting on 88.9 percent (16-of-18).
- Monday was almost an identical defensive effort as the first matchup this season as BU limited American to 44 points for the second time.
- Over the course of three games this season, the Terriers held the Eagles to shoot just 31.4 percent (48-for-153) from the floor.
Up Next
- BU will host sixth-seeded Lehigh on Thursday, March 12 at 6 p.m.
