Boston College Athletics
Women's Basketball Wins Big in New Year
January 04, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 4, 2009
Chestnut Hill, Mass. - The Boston College women's basketball team (11-3) started the New Year with a stellar defensive effort against Massachusetts (6-8), defeating the Minutewomen 89-55 at Conte Forum Sunday afternoon.
The Eagles were led by junior Mickel Picco, who scored 27 points behind a 5-for-9 three-point shooting performance. Sophomore Stefanie Murphy tallied her second double-double of the season and 11th of her career, scoring 18 points and providing a season-high 12 rebounds. Sophomore Carolyn Swords continued her double-digit scoring streak, adding 10 points and seven rebounds
In the first half,
Boston College jumped to a 21-9 lead behind a 4-for-9 shooting effort by Picco. She put up 17 total points while Murphy added 13 points and nine rebounds. Combined, the two scored 30 of the team's 46 first half points. The Eagles dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Minutewomen 27-15 and took advantage of 10 Massachusetts turnovers.
Boston College shot 50 percent from the field in the half and committed a season-low three turnovers. Massachusetts shot just 17 percent.
Picco continued her hot shooting, opening up the second half with a three-pointer, giving the Eagles the early 49-17 edge. BC earned its largest lead of 37 points with 11:40 to go in the game. Junior Ayla Brown contributed seven of her 10 points in the second half to help boost the team's offensive effort as well.
The Eagles shot 63 percent in the second half, finishing the day with a 56 percent outing. The team scored a total of 18 points off turnovers and combined for nine steals. Senior Stefanie Gerardot led Massachusetts with 16 points and six rebounds. Her team finished the game shooting 29 percent (38 percent in the second half) and committed 20 turnovers.
BC will begin its ACC schedule next at Georgia Tech on Thursday, January 8. The team will play the No.23-ranked Yellow Jackets at 7 pm at the Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
Game Notes:
The Eagles held Massachusetts to just 17 points in the first half, the lowest number of points in a half allowed this season...The team also held the Minutewomen to 17 percent first-half shooting, the lowest field goal percentage allowed in a half this season...Today's 89-55 win ties the Eagles' largest margin of victory this season of 34 points...Picco recorded a season-high in field goals made (11) and continued her three-point streak, dating back to the 2007-08 season...Murphy tallied season highs in field goals made (8), assists (6) and rebounds (12).
Story by Meredith Cook.
