Instant takeaways from BU women's basketball's 75-51 victory over Loyola Maryland in the PL first round
The Terriers' 24-point win is its largest margin of victory all season. BU will advance to face top-seeded Lehigh in the PL quarterfinals.
BOSTON — Dominant. That is the only word that can be used to describe the Boston University women’s basketball team’s 75-51 victory over Loyola Maryland in the first round of the Patriot League tournament.
The Terriers (12-18) jumped out to a 17-point lead by the end of the first quarter at Case Gym on Saturday afternoon. The outcome was never in question after that. Entering the fourth quarter, BU was one point shy of doubling up the Greyhounds, leading 63-32.
BU’s 24-point victory on Saturday was its largest margin of victory this season.
The Terriers will advance to the Patriot League quarterfinals to face top-seeded Lehigh (24-6, 15-3 PL) in Bethlehem, Pa., on Monday at 6 p.m.
Here are two takeaways from BU’s blowout first-round win…
BU’s first quarter was its best frame of the season.
When the first quarter buzzer sounded, the Terriers led by 17. That 17-point gap marked BU’s greatest margin in any quarter this season, besting a plus-16 in the second quarter at Yale in the nonconference finale.
The Terriers were humming on the offensive end, scoring on 10 consecutive trips to end the quarter. Sophomore forward Audrey Ericksen netted eight first-quarter points, highlighted by a pair of corner 3-pointers on consecutive possessions. Those 3s were set up by beautiful drive-and-kicks from senior guard Alex Giannaros and sophomore Bella McLaughlin.
BU’s guards penetrated the lane with ease, and when the Terriers occasionally missed a shot, they were there for the offensive rebound.
BU shot 10 for 17 from the floor in the first quarter and coralled five offensive rebounds. Loyola looked as if it barely belonged on the same court as the Terriers got anything they wanted offensively.
On the defensive end, the Terriers held Loyola to 3-of-9 shooting and forced five turnovers. Sophomore forward SiSi Bentley had three steals in the opening frame.
BU ended the final four minutes of the quarter on a 15-2 run.
Everyone got involved as BU had one of its best offensive performances of the season.
BU shot 27 for 53 from the field, 8 for 16 from 3, 13 for 17 from the foul line, corralled 13 offensive rebounds, dished out 19 assists and only committed 11 turnovers. It was an all-around clinic offensively.
The Terriers routed Loyola with a balanced attack. They had four players finish in double figures and seven score five points or more. 11 Terriers scored in Saturday’s win.
Junior forward Anete Adler finished with a team-high 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Ericksen and Bentley netted 11 points apiece. Giannaros scored 10.
BU’s 75 points are the fourth-most it has scored in a game this season.
BU’s defense was equally impressive.
Loyola Maryland was held to 18 points in the first half on just 6-for-23 shooting and 2 of 10 from 3. BU also forced nine first-half turnovers.
The Terriers scored at ease, which allowed them to set up their full-court press. The press caused issues for the Greyhounds from the game’s very first possession, where BU forced a jump ball in the backcourt after Loyola had struggled to advance the ball across the timeline. On Loyola’s second offensive possession, Bentley earned her first of five steals, knocking the ball out of Loyola sophomore guard Amandine Amorich’s hands.
BU held All-Patriot League third team guard Laura Salmeron, who netted a career-best 28 points the last time these two teams met at Case Gym, to just nine points on 3-of-12 shooting and 2 of 7 from 3.
Loyola’s 51 total points are the fourth-fewest BU has allowed this season.
Additionally, BU won the rebounding battle 36-19 and only allowed the Greyhounds to collect six offensive boards.