Women’s Basketball: 19-0 Bucknell run too much for BU in third straight loss
Featured image by Claire Guest
By Alexa Podalsky
BU entered the half against Bucknell leading by four. But, in the third quarter, their lead evaporated, as the Bison went on a furious 19-0 run that wound up defining the game.
Boston University women’s basketball (13-9, 5-6 PL) looked for a win against their Patriot League opponent, the Bucknell University Bison (8-14, 5-6 PL) on Saturday. After an explosive first half, stopping the Bisons’ offensive power proved to be too big of a task for BU, which lost just its second game at home this season, 71-60.
“There’s obviously big points of growth in this game,” head coach Melissa Graves said. “I thought we had a really good first half offensively. It was that third quarter that really hurt us.”
The Terriers came onto the court with immense energy that resulted in a five-point opening run and forced them into the lead for the majority of the first half. Despite an intense effort from Bucknell’s defense, it couldn’t stop BU from scoring. The Terriers led at the half, 39-34.
But Bucknell propelled themselves into the lead after BU committed four turnovers and saw their field goal percentage plummet from 67 percent in the second quarter to 19 in the third. BU was outscored 27-7 during the third quarter.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Terriers crowded around Graves hoping to come back from a 15-point deficit.
Junior guard Alex Giannaros ended the Terrier’s dry spell and set their comeback in motion. She scored eight of her 16 points in the final frame.
“I want to play in the big moments. I think me and [Caitlin Weimar] play really well together, so I think we’ve kind of figured each other out,” Giannaros said.
Weimar, who had been absent in BU’s loss to Lehigh University due to an injury, remained a force on both sides of the court, picking up nine total rebounds and prevented Bucknell from approaching the paint.
But, the Bisons prevented BU from overcoming the 15-point fourth quarter deficit.
“As we collect those minutes more and get that experience, I think it’ll be really good for us and pay off in the long run,” Graves said.
Despite the loss, the team had shooting practice with some of the fans who cheered them on, in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
“I think it’s nice for our team to see that we mean something as basketball players to young girls,” Giannaros said. “I think it’s really inspiring for us to not only know that we have people following us but for them as well to see that they have role models in the community.”
The Terriers will continue Patriot League play against Army West Point on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Case Gym.