July 30, 2012
Coming in at No. 6 in in the Terrier Twelve is the Boston University women’s basketball team advancing to the postseason for the third time in four seasons after winning the America East regular season title.
The Terriers finished the season with a 23-9 overall record and claimed their second America East regular season title in the last four years after posting a 15-1 mark in conference play. Following a challenging non-conference schedule, BU began league play with a 13-game winning streak, which was tied for the sixth longest winning streak in all of Division I.
BU not only finished the regular season on top of the America East standings, but the Terriers also led the league in several statistical categories. BU ranked first in field goal percentage defense (.350), blocked shots (4.0 per game), defensive rebounds (26.0 per game) and assist/turnover ratio (0.9). The Terriers also did a terrific job of taking care of the ball, as their 12.7 turnovers per game ranked fifth in the nation.
By winning the regular season crown, the Terriers earned an automatic bid to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). BU drew Saint Joseph’s in the first round and the Terriers traveled to Philadelphia, where they saw their season come to a close with a 67-56 loss to the Hawks.
After leading the team in scoring for the third straight season, junior Chantell Alford was named America East Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. The 5-8 guard is the first player in BU history to receive the award in back-to-back years and the sixth repeat winner of the conference's top honor. Alford also becomes the fourth player to claim the Rookie of the Year award in her first season followed by two straight Player of the Year accolades.
In just three seasons at BU, Alford has already left her mark on the Terriers’ record books. She became the 20th player in program history to reach the 1,000-point milestone in BU’s game at West Virginia on Dec. 3 and she currently ranks eighth all-time with 1,309 points. The West Haven, Conn., native led BU’s balanced offense with 12.4 points per game and scored in double-digits in 20 contests. She concluded the regular season ranked in the top five in the conference in numerous statistical categories including second in 3-point field goal percentage (.380) and steals per game (2.2) while ranking fifth in 3-point field goals per game (1.8). Her 87.5 free throw percentage ranked 19th in all of Division I.
Joining Alford on the America East All-Conference First Team was classmate Mo Moran. The junior ranked second on the team with 10.9 points per game and reached the 1,000-point milestone in BU’s regular season finale at Hartford. The guard did a superb job protecting the ball while running BU’s offense, as her assist to turnover ratio of 1.7 led the league. She was also second in the conference with 4.2 assists per game while raking third with 36.3 minutes per game.
In her first season as a starter, sophomore Rashidat Agboola established herself as one of the Terriers’ most valuable players en route to earning All-Defensive and All-Conference Third Team accolades. The sophomore shot 47.2 percent, which was the second highest field goal percentage in the AE, while averaging 10.2 points per game. She also tied for first with 8.6 rebounds per game, which placed her second in the America East.
The Methuen, Mass., native led the Terriers with eight double-doubles on the season, including five in conference play. The 6’1 forward swatted 44 shots which rank ninth in program history for blocked shots in a season.
BU returners three starters from the 2011-12 squad and will welcome a talented group of four newcomers.
The Terrier Twelve
No. 7 - BU Athletics Announces New Field, Programs
No. 8 - Men's Ice Hockey Posts 23 Wins, Qualifies for NCAAs
No. 9 - Women's Lacrosse Wins Sixth AE Regular-Season Title
No. 10 - Field Hockey Finishes Season Ranked 13th
No. 11 - Men's Soccer Claims AE Regular Season Title
No. 12 - Men's Crew Concludes Postseason Run on Grand Note
