Dynamic Duo Leading BC Into Date With Orange

Last week's game against No. 3 NC State frustrated Boston College for a number of reasons. The Eagles lost to a national championship contender, but they arguably outplayed the Wolfpack for the first three-plus quarters. They dominated at times, but foul trouble in the fourth period haunted a depleted roster that simply couldn't stop the charging freight train.

The 75-69 defeat dropped the Eagles to 4-2 overall and handed them their second consecutive ACC loss, but it served as a reminder through an off week of preparation. It was a necessary daily distraction during final exam study and a constant practice component throughout the seven day break, and it's now the cornerstone for Sunday's return to the court against No. 18/16 Syracuse.

"I didn't know I had four fouls (before fouling out against NC State)," guard Makayla Dickens said, "because I just play how I normally play and play tough. Even if I have four fouls, I still have to play tough. I'm not going to back off, but I have to be smarter in those situations (against the Orange)."

Dickens' fifth foul against NC State removed her from the lineup with under three minutes remaining in the game, but it did nothing to diminish her accomplishment against the defending ACC champion. She scored a team-high 20 points with five rebounds and two assists. She hit six of her seven made baskets from three point land and finished with a 6-of-10 day beyond the arc.

It was part of a larger, 7-for-15 performance and secured her status as a primary option within the Boston College offense. It boosted her three-point shooting to more than 51 percent and moved her into first place on the team with 17 made three-pointers, and it upped her per-game scoring average to 13.5 points per game while maintaining her solid rebounding and assist numbers. It further represented a boost from her 10 points per game average from a year ago, just about one extra three-point shot made in each game.

"That was hands down Makayla Dickens' best game of the season and maybe the best of her career in terms of putting two ends together," head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee said of the guard's performance last Sunday. "She played great offensively but was everywhere defensively. She in on the help side and was in on every possession in (that) game. I was really impressed with her."

It was a national breakout for Dickens and fellow guard Marnelle Garraud against one of the best teams in the nation. Long overlooked against more flashy backcourts on higher ranked teams, the duo dominated the early non-conference schedule at both ends by working together in a tandem attack.

Dickens' game against NC State was her fifth double-digit scoring performance in six games this year and her third game with at least four three-pointers made. Garraud likewise scored 15 points against the Wolfpack for her second double-digit scoring game, but she committed four steals and added three defensive rebounds for the second time this year. She further got to the free line in a game where charity shots were at a premium for BC, and three of her five made baskets came from beyond the arc.

"It was Marnelle's come-out game," Bernabei-McNamee said. "She had a slow start (to the season), but this will propel her into having a lot more confidence. I can't say enough about those two guards. They play bigger than what they are and have a lot of heart."

It spoke volumes about the duo's ability to play opposite one another and illustrated the chemistry in BC's backcourt. Both Dickens and Garraud complement one another with unique individual skills, but their ability to identify which player is better suited for a particular scenario adds to their danger.

Garraud averages more than two steals per game, but Dickens is right behind her with steals in all but two games in the early season. Their ability to switch on the man-to-man defensive end determines which player attacks with toughness or agility in certain situations, but it's not limited to one player pigeon-holing her skills into that particular type of game.

"I always feel like we work pretty well together," Dickens said. "We're always on the same page. (NC State) was a huge confidence booster, and hopefully we can take our frustration out in the next game. Working with (Garraud) has been super fun, and we communicate back and forth. It's easy going."

The strength in number is exactly what the Eagles need on Sunday afternoon against the nationally-ranked Orange and point guard Tiana Mangakahia. The fifth year Australian guard returned this year after defeating breast cancer and is a former Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention. She was one of the top five finalists for the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award in 2018-2019 and an All-ACC First Team selection with 16.9 points and 8.4 assists per game.

Mangakahia is still recovering from a foot injury suffered against Miami but remains one of the toughest assignments in basketball. She had 14 points and seven assists in 25 minutes against the Hurricanes after scoring 14 with eight assists against Penn State. She added six boards against the Nittany Lions two games after hauling seven rebounds in the season opener at Stony Brook.

Syracuse lost its first game of the year to the Tar heels, 92-68, but saw Emily Engstler emerge while Mangakahia limited her minutes. The junior started 31 games last year and averaged over 29 minutes with nine rebounds per game and came off the bench to hit 7-of-9 shots for 18 points while recording a double-double with 10 boards. It was the 15th career double-double for the former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American.

"I expect them to play with a high octane press back into that zone that they play," Bernabei-McNamee said. "They have great three point shooters, and they're going to push. Tiana is back (from her fight against cancer), and she's a great point guard. They are a Top 20 team because they don't have a lot of weaknesses. Hopefully we can take out our frustration (from NC State) and play great in that game."

BC and Syracuse will tip off on Sunday at 2 p.m. from Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The game can be seen on ACC Network and via the ESPN online platform for subscribers who have access to the channel.

Dynamic Duo Leading BC Into Date With Orange

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