The women’s basketball team dropped its first game of the season in an 85-55 rout against Boston College on Monday.
Despite the final score, the Leopards (0-1 overall) kept it close for much of the game, jumping out to a 14-9 lead at the end of the first quarter before the Eagles’ offensive onslaught began.
Boston College (1-0 overall) opened the second quarter on a 10-2 run, but senior guard Abby Antognoli scored a trio of three-pointers in the period to help the Leopards keep their foot on the gas.
“I finally found my rhythm in the second quarter and the shots I had been taking started to fall,” Antognoli wrote in an email. “I felt confident with each look, and once the ball started going into the hoop, it gave me even more momentum to keep us in the game during that stretch.”
Unfortunately for the Maroon and White, Boston’s offensive attack remained efficient, as the Eagles shot over 50% from the field in each of the final three quarters, outscoring the Leopards comfortably in each period.
“We came out with high energy which was reflected in our defense,” junior forward Emma Shields wrote in an email. “Our energy seemed to drain going into the third and fourth. We need to work on keeping our energy high the whole game and staying locked in on defense.”
On the offensive end, the Leopards struggled in the possession battle, particularly facing difficulties in beating the Eagles’ press, turning the ball over 21 times to the Eagles’ 11.
“We’ve faced challenges with pressure for the past few seasons, and it’s something we’re constantly working on,” Antognoli wrote. “To improve, we need to stay confident in our individual ball-handling and look to take the ball up one-on-one more often instead of hesitating. Too much apprehension in those situations leads to turnovers, which really hurt us in this game.”
A bright spot in an otherwise bleak offensive outing, junior guard Kay Donahue put up 14 points on an efficient 5-7 outing off the bench.
“I think tonight for me the ball was just going in the hoop,” Donahue wrote in an email. “My teammates were able to create open shots for me on the 3 point line but were also putting me in situations where I could drive it.”
Although the Leopards fought hard through the first half, the Maroon and White were outscored 51-26 in the second half en route to the blowout loss.
The Leopards struggled to clean the glass, losing 27-23 on the defensive boards, and 17-11 in offensive rebounds.
“We need to make sure to group rebound on the defensive end to limit other teams second chance opportunities,” Shields wrote. “Our foul trouble at the 4 and 5 position limited us in rebounding so we will have to be better in that area next game.”
The Maroon and White return to action in their home opener against Saint Francis University (0-1 overall) on Saturday at 2 p.m.
“It’s our first home game of the season and we want it to be our first win as well,” Donahue wrote. “All you can do after a game like this is learn and move on.”
