Boston College
North Carolina State
Women's Basketball Picks Up Key Win Over NC State
January 29, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 29, 2009
Raleigh, NC -
Mickel Picco hit eight of nine free throws in the final minute to give Boston College a 62-51 victory over ACC foe NC State on Thursday night in front of a packed house at Reynolds Coliseum. The Eagles improved to 17-4 and 5-1 in the ACC, while NC State dropped to 8-12 and 0-5 in the conference. BC is now tied in second place in the ACC with Duke. BC will play at Duke on Monday, Feb. 2.
Boston College was the first team NC State played since the passing of the Wolfpack's legendary coach Kay Yow.
The Eagles built a quick 21-8 lead just 10 minutes into the game as Carolyn Swords (14 points, career-high 21 rebounds) would score eight points in the run. The lead grew when freshman Jasmine Gill nailed a three-pointer at the eight minute mark and BC was up, 24-9. Gill would strike again at 7:32 with her second three and the Eagles lead grew, 26-9.
BC would take a 36-15 lead into the locker room as the Eagles shot 50 percent from the field and three-point arc. NC State struggled offensively as the Wolfpack shot 5-for-34 (14.7%) from the floor.
Boston College opened the second half with a 10-2 run sparked by six points from Swords. The Eagles largest lead - 31 points - came at 14:11 when Picco hit a jumper from the wing. BC went cold and NC State started to heat up behind the play of senior Shayla Fields (17 points, seven rebounds). Fields three-pointer at 13:49 would spark a 13-0 Wolfpack run and BC was up, 50-32. A steal by Picco and layup stopped the run but NC State kept attacking the Eagles.
A jumper in the lane by Sharnise Beal cut the BC lead to 11 points. Eagles sophomore point guard Jaclyn Thoman (six points) hit a key jumper from the wing and BC was up, 54-41, with 1:43 to play. From there Picco stepped up to seal the win with eight foul shots.
Game Notes:
Mickel Picco extended her streak of making a three-pointer in 29 consecutive games, dating back to the 2007-08 season. Picco hit two three's in the game ... Carolyn Swords had a career-high 21 rebounds ... BC held NC State to just 15 points in the first half. It was the second ACC team in which the Eagles held to just 15 points in a half. On Jan. 23, BC held Clemson to just 15 second half points ... BC sophomore LaShaunda Pratt will remain behind in North Carolina for an extra day. A native of Winston-Salem, Pratt is being honored by her high school - Carver - as her number - 12 - will be retired.
