ACC/Big Ten Challenge: Eagles Face Nittany Lions in Showdown

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The Boston College women's basketball team hosts Penn State in the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Thursday at 6 p.m. in Conte Forum.

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About the Eagles
Last Time Out
Makayla Dickens led three players in double figures with a season-high 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field. Taylor Soule poured in 17 points with a season-high six rebounds, while Ally VanTimmeren also provided a lift on the bench, shooting 7-for-8 en route to a season-best 15 points. The duo of Dickens and VanTimmeren combined for 36 of the reserves' season-high 39 points and made 15 of their 21 field goals. Albany made things interesting in the second half as they came back from a 10-point deficit at halftime to take a 49-45 lead. The Great Danes at one point hit seven straight shots - four of which were 3-pointers. With BC still trailing by four later in the period, Garraud's lone trifecta started a 9-2 run that gave BC a 56-53 edge going into the final frame.
The Great Danes stayed within striking distance until the Eagles pulled away over the final 2:58 of the game thanks to an 11-3 run. The defense held UA scoreless for 2:39 during the surge while five different players scored.

The Challenge
The ACC owns a 9-1-3 all-time advantage in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, headlined by three outright titles in the last four years the event has been held. BC is 3-7 all-time in the Challenge, including a 1-1 record all-time against Penn State in the event. All-time, BC is 1-2 against Penn State. The last time BC played in the Challenge was a 66-63 setback at Northwestern in 2019. One of the most memorable victories for any ACC team in the Challenge was BC's 113-104 double overtime victory over the Nittany Lions in 2010 at Conte Forum.

A Win Would
- Improve the Eagles' record to 6-1 overall.
- Tie up the all-time series against Penn State.
- Give BC six straight wins at home and four overall.
- Hand Penn State a fourth loss in its last five games.
- Drop Penn State's record to 4-4.

By the Numbers
2 - Soule is one of two players (Katelyn Young - Murray State) to average at least 19 points per game and shoot at least 65 percent from the field.
T-12 - Maria Gakdeng is tied for 12th in the country in blocks per game among freshmen.
36 - The 36 combined points by Dickens and VanTimmeren are the most for a bench duo since Kaylah Ivey (23 pts) and Jaelyn Batts (15 pts) scored 38 against UMass Lowell last season.
61.4 - BC is shooting 61.4 percent from inside the arc over the last two games.
1000 - Dickens is five points away from becoming the 30th member of the 1,000-point club.

What to Watch for
- Watch if the Eagles can win the battle on the glass as Penn State's average rebounding margin is minus-14.7 in three losses and plus-6 in its four wins.
- Boston College is 4-0 this season when at least three players score in double figures, highlighted by five players against Providence. See if the Eagles can showcase a balanced-scoring attack on Thursday.
- The Eagles' defense is allowing 58.8 points per game in their five victories this season. See if the defense can contain a Penn State offense that is 18th in the country in scoring.
- See if Boston College can protect the rock on Thursday, as Penn State is forcing 22.5 turnovers in its three wins compared to 12.3 in losses.
- Dickens is turning in 15 points over the last three games, shooting 48.4 percent from the floor, 42 percent from beyond the arc, 3.6 rebounds, and three assists. See if the senior can continue her solid play.

Scouting Penn State
- Penn State is off to a 4-3 start after dropping its last two matchups to then-No. 13 Iowa State and Kent State, respectively.
- Makenna Marisa led four players in double figures with 23 points and tied a team-high with five assists.
- Marisa leads the team and is fifth in the nation averaging 22.4 points per game.
- Ali Brigham is second on the team in scoring (12.3 ppg) while leading the team in rebounds per game (5.4).
- Marisa also leads the team in assists per game at just over three per game.
- The Nittany Lions' 80.7 points per game is 18th in the country.
- PSU is also 32nd in the country in pace, averaging 77.1 possessions per 40 min.
- Penn State is 30th in total steals with 75 and in the top 55 in steals per game (10.7).
- The Nittany Lions are 5-9 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Series History
The Eagles and Nittany Lions face each other for the first time since 2016, where PSU captured a narrow 60-56 win in Conte Forum. Penn State is 2-1 all-time in the series. The lone win for BC came in a 113-104 overtime victory in 2010.

What's Next
BC will travel to Richmond, Va. to face VCU on Sunday at 1 p.m.

ACC/Big Ten Challenge: Eagles Face Nittany Lions in Showdown

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Players Mentioned

Maria Gakdeng

Taylor Soule

Ally VanTimmeren