Boston College
UMass
Sarah Marshall Leads Women's Basketball Past Massachusetts
December 31, 2006 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 31, 2006
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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - Boston College point guard Sarah Marshall hit four free throws in the final minute of play as the Eagles captured a 70-64 victory over cross-state rival the University of Massachusetts (9-4) today at Conte Forum.
Marshall's heroics were set up when senior Kathrin Ress (22 points, eight rebounds) hit a half-hook on the baseline over UMass center Rebecca Mills with just 59 seconds to play. After a miss by the Minutewomen, BC's Corey Rusin (five points, three rebounds, three assists) grabbed the loose ball and took it to half court. After a timeout, UMass fouled Marshall, who hit two foul shots for a 68-64 lead.
Massachusetts' Kim Benton missed a short jumper and the Minutewomen had to foul Marshall again. The senior captain, who had 10 points and hit 8-for-8 from the charity stripe, again calmly hit two more free throws to seal the win.
UMass held a six point lead with 10:08 to play in the game. The Eagles slowly cut into the lead and tied the game at 53-53 with a short hook by Ress at 8:01. The lead would change hands eight times, with four ties in the final six minutes of play.
BC freshman Beth Egnell, who finished the game with her third career double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds), hit two key free throws at 1:38 to play to tie the game at 64-64. Ress then hit the baseline hook to give BC the lead for good.
Boston College led at the half, 30-26, behind 14 points from Ress. She shot 6-for-9 from the field, grabbed three rebounds and had three assists. The Eagles could not pull way from the Minutewomen as the largest lead they held was six points.
Both team shot well as BC finished at 54 percent from the field and 88 percent from the free throw line. UMass shot 47 percent from the field for the game but missed four of five shots in the final 3:44 to play.
Senior Tamara Tatham led UMass with 21 points, five steals and six rebounds, while Kate Mills and Pam Roasanio each added 13 points.
The next game for the Boston College (10-4) will be the first ACC action of the 2006-07 season on Thursday, Jan. 4 when the Eagles host Florida State at 7 p.m. at Conte Forum.
