Boston College Athletics
Women's Basketball Defeats West Virginia
June 21, 1999 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 8, 1998
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Boston College won its first BIG EAST Conference game of the 1998-99 season and improved to 7-1 overall with an 81-72 victory at West Virginia on December 8. Four players scored in double figures to lead the Eagles to victory. Junior forward Alissa Murphy led Boston College with 18 points, six rebounds, five steals, and three blocks.
The Eagles jumped out to a 13-4 lead, but West Virginia's Christie Lambert scored two three-point field goals and Rebecca Burbridge added one three-pointer to tie the game at 13-13 with 11:37 remaining in the first half. Boston College went on an 18-8 run and led the Mountaineers 37-21 at halftime. Freshman Becky Gottstein scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Boston College in the first half.
Boston College built an 18-point lead in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Mountaineers rallied to cut the lead to 53-30 with 10:05 left in regulation. West Virginia connected on four three-point field goals during the run. The Eagles would increase their lead to 11 points, but the Mountaineers cut the lead to 71-66 with 2:36 remaining on two free throws by Burbridge. Boston College connected on 10 free throws in the closing minutes to secure the win.
Senior center Whitney Steele finished the game with 16 points and three blocks. Freshman point guard Brianne Stepherson netted 13 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and handed out eight assists in 40 minutes. Gottstein finished with 12 points and pulled down nine rebounds for the Eagles.
Val Zona led West Virginia with 16 points, including four three-point field goals. The Mountaineers shot 48 percent from three-point range, connecting on 12-of-25, and outrebounded Boston College, 34-33.
