Boston College
Miami
Women's Basketball Pounds Miami, 71-64
February 16, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 16, 2009
Coral Gables, Fla. - Boston College pounded the ball inside and dominated the boards on the way to a key conference victory over Miami, 71-64, Monday night at the BankUnited Center. The Eagles improved to 18-7 overall and 6-4 in the ACC, while Miami dropped to 13-12 and 2-8 in the conference.
Sophomore Carolyn Swords notched her ninth double-double of the season with 24 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks, while sophomore Stefanie Murphy also picked up a double-double (fourth of the season) with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Senior Corey Rusin added offensive punch off the bench as the guard had 13 points, six rebounds and four assists. Junior Ayla Brown added seven points and seven rebounds. BC finished the game with 48 rebounds to Miami's 28.
In the first half Boston College was led by Swords with 12 points, while Rusin added eight. The Eagles held the lead throughout most of the half until the final 23 seconds. Rusin hit her second three-pointer at 1:04 in the half to give BC a five point lead. Miami's Lamese James was left alone at the top of the three-point arc and matched Rusin's shot. Miami then stole the inbounds and tied the game on a layup by Johnson to tie the game at 32-32 at the half. The Eagles were hurt by turnovers in the half as they gave the ball away 12 times.
Boston College led throughout the second half but the lead never reached double figures. BC took a six point lead at 7:27 on a jumper from Victoria Jones (six points). Miami's Shenise Johnson, who finished with 18 points, kept the Hurricanes alive with a jumper.
The Eagles slowly pulled away after a missed foul shot by Murphy which Rusin grabbed the long rebound. Of Rusin then found Swords under the hoop for a 65-58 lead with 3:34 to play. After a missed three-pointer from Riquna Williams, Rusin hit two foul shots to give BC breathing room. Johnson and Epiphany Woodson hit consecutive buckets but it was enough as BC pounded back inside to swords for two and a 69-62 lead with 34 seconds to play.
BC shot 49 percent from the field for the game but 62 percent in the second half. BC also had 32 points in the paint.
Boston College will host North Carolina on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. It is the Eagles "Pink Zone" game, so any fans wearing pink will receive free admission.
