Articles

Terriers Hold off Vermont in Women's Basketball

Details: Created on Thursday, 02 February 2012 03:43; Written by George Commo

Terriers score 42 second-half points in 72-64 victory

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

BOSTON – Shanai Heber scored 13 points and grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds for the Vermont Catamounts, but the Boston University Terriers scored 42 second-half points to post a 72-64 victory at Agganis Arena in America East women's basketball action.

The Terriers remain unbeaten in league play, pushing their record to 9-0 and 16-6 overall. Vermont falls to 9-14 and 3-7 in America East.

“That was a tough game to lose,” said Vermont head coach Lori Gear McBride. “I thought we played 35 minutes of really good basketball. We missed three layups in a row on three possessions and that killed our momentum and in the last couple minutes we missed a couple box out assignments and let them get offensive boards,” continued Gear McBride.

“Boston U is a team that is experienced and Chantell Alford did what good players do, she stepped up and wasn't going to let BU lose. She was the difference, she just took over at the end of the game,” said Gear McBride.

“The good news is that we are right there with four freshmen, a sophomore, and a junior. I'm very encouraged. We are getting closer and closer. We just need to work on getting mentally tougher and not having so many little breakdowns down the stretch,” said Gear McBride.

Boston University led 11-7 at the 16:23 mark, but a 12-2 run by Vermont shoved the Catamounts in front 19-13 at the 11:56 mark. The Terriers bounced back with a 12-3 run to regain the lead 25-22 with 6:24 remaining in the half. UVM responded with another run, 13-5, including five points from freshman Annie Wheeler, over the final five minutes of the half to take a 35-30 lead into the locker room.

The Catamounts' strong first half effort was bolstered by a 28-15 edge in rebounding and Heber's play. She posted a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds in the first 20 minutes of action. Vermont also connected on 44.8 percent of its shots, while limiting Boston U to 30.3 percent for the half.

Vermont's lead grew to eight 41-33, its largest of the game, in the opening minutes of the second half. The Terriers reeled the Catamounts back in and briefly pushed out in front by four, 47-43, on a basket by Caroline Stewart at the 13:33 mark.

The game remained close as the two teams traded baskets and the lead. At the midway point of the half Vermont held a four-point advantage after a 3-pointer by Sam Simononis, but Boston U answered with a 3-pointer from Chantell Alford to slice the lead to one. UVM replied with another 3-pointer from freshman Shavonne White to push its lead back to four at the 8:36 mark.

A 3-pointer by the Terriers' Mo Moran and the at 7:46 mark, to cap off four consecutive three's in four straight possessions between the two teams, ignited a decisive 14-2 run for Boston U and opened up a 68-60 lead for the home team with 2:20 left in the game.

UVM was able to slice the lead to four in the with 46 seconds, however Boston U would hold off the Catamounts the rest of the way, making four of six free throws in the closing seconds to pull out the win.

Boston U finished the half shooting 51.7 percent from the field and was 6-for-8 from beyond the arc. The Terriers held UVM to 28.6 percent in the second half.

Heber was one of three Catamounts to reach double figures and added six assists and four steals in a solid all-around effort. White chipped in 14 points off the bench, while Kayla Burchill added 10 points and six rebounds. Freshman Niki Taylor also reached double-figures in rebounding column, collecting 12 rebounds and contributing eight points.

Alford led all scorers with 28 points, 19 in the second half, and was 5-for-6 from three-point range for the Terriers. Rashidat Agboola added 14 points and six rebounds.

Vermont returns to action on Sunday (Feb. 5) when the Catamounts host the Hartford Hawks at 1 p.m. at Patrick Gymnasium. Live video of the game is available for free via CatamounTV at UVMathletics.com.

YOUTH DAY IS SUNDAY
The Catamounts will hold their annual Youth Day on Sunday (Feb. 5) when it hosts Hartford at 1 p.m. at Patrick Gymnasium. Any youth player or team can receive free admission to the game by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with their name or team roster by February 3. Following the game, youth players in attendance can get a chance to join the Catamounts in a postgame shootaround.