Women’s Basketball: Strong defense, Giannaros career day give BU conference-opening win

By Joe Eachus 

Boston University women’s basketball (5-7, 1-0 PL) rang in the new year with a statement win over Navy (3-9, 0-2 PL), bringing down the Midshipmen 82-58.

Freshman guard Alex Giannaros led the team in scoring in just her fourth career start, scoring a career-best 18 points while shooting 80% from beyond the arc in a season-high 33 minutes.

“At times in the non-conference season, I could’ve stayed more patient for shots to come to me… having my teammates set me up the way they did today was something that contributed a lot to my shooting,” Giannaros said postgame.

Sophomore center Caitlin Weimar also led the way with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

BU head coach Melissa Graves shook up the starting lineup to kick off Patriot League play, with sophomore guard Sophie Beneventine earning her first career start.

Graves said the new lineup was meant to give the players who have taken the most reps in practice recently a chance to start since some other athletes have missed multiple practices due to COVID-19 protocols. 

Returning from their holiday break later than expected due to game postponements, the Terriers did not let the delay affect them, quickly shaking off the rust to build a four-point lead at the end of the first frame.

Heading into the second quarter, BU did not its foot off the gas, outscoring the Mids 25-12 in the frame. The Terriers also went on a 10-0 run during the period. 

BU continued to extend its lead in the second half, outscoring the Mids 37-30 in the third and fourth quarters. 

BU struggled with turnovers for much of the game, with 14 in the contest.

Despite this, the Terrier defense suffocated Navy for most of the game, holding the Mids to just 33.8% shooting from the field. BU’s defensive effort included holding Navy guard Jennifer Coleman — the current Patriot League leader in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and minutes — to 23 points, her lowest output in a month. 

Graves also said that the win was a confidence booster heading into conference play.

“We had a really tough non-conference schedule,” Graves said. “[We] still have the goal to win a Patriot League championship, and I think we’re still in a good position to do that.”

The Terriers will face its next conference opponent Wednesday, taking on Loyola Maryland in Baltimore at 7 p.m.