Boston College
Fairfield
Women's Basketball Captures Blue Sky Championship
December 30, 2008 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 30, 2008
Hanover, N.H. - Boston College senior Brittanny Johnson hit a layup and Mickel Picco nailed four free throws in the final minute to seal a 62-57 victory over Fairfield and capture the Blue Sky Classic Championship in Hanover, New Hampshire hosted by Dartmouth.
Boston College improved to 10-3 and will play Massachusetts (6-6) on Sunday, Jan. 4 at Conte Forum (2 p.m.). Fairfield is now 6-6 and will host Loyola on Sunday at 1 p.m. Dartmouth beat Wagner in the consolation game.
The Eagles were led by Mickel Picco with 18 points, while Stefanie Murphy added 12 points and had six rebounds. Johnson played a key role throughout the game as she finished with six points and had five assist in the win. Sophomore Carolyn Swords added 11 points and seven rebounds.
In the first half, Boston College built a 24-19 lead behind six straight points from senior Corey Rusin. The lead did not last long as Fairfield shot back with six straight points and then took the lead at the half on a jumper from Lauren Groom, 29-26.
Boston College shot just 38 percent from the field in the half and committed 13 turnovers, while Fairfield shot 46 percent and had seven steals.
The Eagles opened the second half with a 14-4 run to start the half sparked by seven points from Mickel Picco and a traditional three-point play from Carolyn Swords. Fairfield came back with 7-2 run and BC was only up 42-40 with 11:38 to play. The game swayed back-and-forth until two free throws by Swords at 7:14 gave BC the lead for good.
Three straight jumpers from the top of the key from Johnson, Murphy and Swords gave BC a 56-51 lead with 2:58 to play. Johnson's driving lay-up with 49 seconds to play sealed the win.
The Eagles shot 44 percent in the second half after a cold first half. BC also won the battle of the boards, 36-33.
Game Notes: Boston College last played in the Blue Sky Tournament in 1996. The Eagles lost to Clemson, 55-52, in the first game and defeated Dartmouth, 72-60, in the consolation game ... Mickel Picco earned a spot on the all-tournament team, while Stefanie Murphy was named the tournament MVP ... The Eagles were perfect from the free throw line in the game, 14-for-14.
