Women’s Basketball: Terriers drop lopsided contest to #17 Georgia Tech

By Joe Eachus 

Boston University women’s basketball (4-7, 0-0 PL) headed to Atlanta to take on #17 Georgia Tech Tuesday for its first matchup against a ranked opponent in more than six years, falling 78-49.

BU’s efforts were led by redshirt senior guard Emily Esposito, who put up 10 points and five rebounds. Sophomore forward Caitlin Weimar added 10 points of her own.

Junior guard Annabelle Larnard impressed with 8 points in 10 minutes, including shooting 100% from deep range.

Freshman guard Alex Giannaros earned the start for a third consecutive game, as junior guard Sydney Johnson remains in COVID-19 protocols.

For the Yellow Jackets, sophomore swingman Eylia Love led the way with 19 points and four rebounds on 70% shooting. Fifth-year forward Lorela Cubaj scored 12 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

BU’s shooting woes, which have been a theme throughout the season, continued once again. The Terriers shot just 32.7% from the field and 18.8% from deep.

Georgia Tech shot 47.1% from the field and 32% from behind the arc.

Rebounding was lopsided as well, with the Yellow Jackets winning the battle on the boards by hauling in 44 rebounds to BU’s 26.

Despite Georgia Tech creating a 14-point lead just five minutes into the first quarter, the Terriers battled back to keep it close going into the first break, with a 16-11 score at the end of 1. BU closed the first frame on an 8-0 run.

In the second quarter, BU’s defense began to falter to the high-powered Yellow Jacket offense, allowing a 17-2 run that stretched almost the entirety of the frame.

The teams headed into halftime separated by 16, with Georgia Tech leading 38-22.

Following the break, Georgia Tech immediately went on a seven-point run heading into the first media timeout.

The timeout did not slow the Yellow Jackets’ momentum, though, as they continued to stretch their lead by going 12-for-17 from the field. They finished the quarter having dominated the Terriers on an extended 27-6 run.

BU shot just 11.1% in the third quarter, allowing Tech to grow its lead to 37. The lone baskets for the Terriers were scored by Emily Esposito and Lauren Davenport, with Davenport also adding two free throws.

BU was able to trim Georgia Tech’s lead by a slight margin in the fourth quarter, but it was not nearly enough to affect the final score.

Larnard made the Terriers’ first three-point shot with just under three minutes to go in the game.

With the loss, the Terriers have yet to defeat a ranked opponent in more than nine years.

BU will take a brief hiatus for the holidays and hope to get back on track before Patriot League play begins. The Terriers’ conference slate begins with a trip to Bucknell on Dec. 29 at 2 p.m.