Boston College Athletics
Women's Hoops Set for Second Exhibition
November 09, 2000 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2000
Sunday's Game
Sunday's exhibition game against the EOS Malbas Sweden marks the second contest of the 2000-2001 season for the Boson College women's basketball team. The Eagles won their first exhibition game against the National Women's Basketball League on Nov. 5, 73-48. The Swedish team is on a tour of BIG EAST women's basketball teams, having already played Rutgers, Seton Hall, Connecticut, Georgetown, Villanona and St. John's. The team features four former Division I players.
The Coach
Cathy Inglese is entering her 15th season as a head coach and her eighth season at Boston College. She holds a 112-90 record at the Heights and a 232-164 mark over her career. In the last two seasons, she has taken the Eagles to a place among the nation's elite programs. The 1999-2000 team set a school record for wins with 26 and advanced to the school's second NCAA tournament in as many years. She was named BIG EAST Coach of the Year in 1999 after taking the Eagles to their first NCAA tournament in school history.
LAST TIME OUT
In the team's first game of the 2000-2001 season, the women's team topped the National Women's Basketball League, 73-48, in an exhibition contest. Junior Rachel Byars, donning a BC uniform for the first time after transferring from Western Kentucky last season, led the way with a double-double (17 points, 13 rebounds) in 32 minutes of play. Freshmen Amber Jacobs and Janelle McManus came off the bench for their first showings as Eagles. Jacobs scored 10 points and dished a team-high four assists. McManus netted eight points and added two assists. Junior Becky Gottstein suffered a sprained left ankle in the game's third minute and missed the remainder of the contest. She already had two points and two rebounds.
Captains Named
The two seniors, Jamie Cournoyer and Danielle O'Banion, will serve as team captains this season. Cournoyer, a center, was named BIG EAST Most Improved Player last season while O'Banion was one of the team's most potent long-distance threats.
Breezy's Back
Junior Brianne Stepherson is ready to tip off the 2000-2001 season after returning from injuries suffered last season. The 5-8 point guard has recovered from an isolated torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee suffered after the end of last season. In the Eagles' first exhibition game, she played 27 minutes, scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds. She also added three assists.
Eagles Chosen Fourth
In the second toughest women's basketball conference in America according to the RPI ratings for the 1999-2000 season, Boston College was selected fourth in the BIG EAST in the annual Preseason Coaches' Poll. National champion Connecticut was chosen first followed by 2000 Final Four participant Rutgers and 2000 league runner-up Notre Dame. Last season, the Eagles were chosen fourth, but finished tied with Rutgers for third with a 12-4 record.
Gottstein Preseason Selections
Junior Becky Gottstein was named to the preseason All-BIG EAST second team, voted on by the league's 14 head coaches. She was one of two juniors named to the preseason teams. Seven seniors were chosen between the first and second teams. She is also a preseason honorable mention All-America selection by Street & Smith's.
Sister Act
Boston College has two sisters on the roster this year. No. 54, Becky Gottstein, returns for her junior year, while she is joined by her sister, freshman Carolyn who will wear number 55 this season.
Mackie Out
Junior Kim Mackie will miss the 2000-2001 season after undergoing reconstructive surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee suffered in a preseason pick-up game.
Up Next
The Eagles will open the regular season at the Chevrolet Classic, hosted by Michigan State, on Friday, Nov. 17 against Tennessee Tech. The winner of that game will face the winner of the MSU/Arkansas State match-up in the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. The consolation game will be played at 5 p.m.
Home Opener
Boston College will open its home schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 22 against perennial power Duke, in a 7 p.m. game.
