The Boston College women’s basketball team played its first game of the season tonight, defeating Lafayette by a score of 85-55. Here are some key takeaways from BC’s opening matchup…
The Eagles got off to a slow start: Things looked dicey for the Eagles early in the game. They started out by missing a pair of free throws, and in the first quarter they went 4-for-17 from the floor and 1-for-4 from the charity stripe. Lafayette led 14-9 after the first 19 minutes of play, and BC led by just 5 points at halftime. Hopefully the slow start was just the Eagles shaking off the offseason cobwebs and not a sign of things to come, because they can’t count on making up the difference in the second half once they start playing tougher opponents.
BC continues to be stronger defensively than offensively: Despite the slow offensive start tonight, the Eagles were playing aggressive defense from the jump. They did a great job of running down the clock and forcing Lafayette into situations where they had to take less than perfect shots or risk a shot clock violation. BC ended the game with 5 blocks and 13 steals, led by Nene Ndiaye (3 blocks) and Andrea Daley (3 steals).
One defensive weakness remains from last season: I complained a lot last season about this team leaving opponents wide open for 3 pointers too frequently, and that was a problem again tonight. The Leopards attempted 22 shots from behind the arc, and hit 9 of them. That obviously wasn’t a huge deal tonight since BC won by 30 points, but it could be a difference-maker once we reach ACC play.
Three point shooting will make or break this offense: The Eagles need to stop allowing their opponents so many wide open 3 point chances, but need to keep taking 3s when they can. Kaylah Ivey and T’Yana Todd both excel from behind the arc: Ivey went 4-for-6 on 3s tonight (including one long 3), and Todd went 3-for-4. Those 21 points were the difference between a blowout and a fairly close win tonight, and once BC starts facing ACC opponents those 3 pointers could steal the Eags some games.
Players to keep an eye on:
- Teya Sidberry did not play tonight, and her absence was felt. She’s a high energy player who makes an impact on both sides of the court, so hopefully whatever kept her out isn’t a longterm issue.
- As noted above, Kaylah Ivey and T’Yana Todd are both going to be offensive impact players for BC. Aside from their strong 3 point shooting, Todd was second on the team tonight with 17 total points and Ivey was third in points with 15 and led the game with 9 assists. Todd also looks stronger than she has in previous seasons.
- Dontavia Waggoner was uncharacteristically quiet tonight. Usually you can’t help but notice her whenever she’s on the court because she’s such an energetic and aggressive player, but she ended the night with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal – all low numbers for her. I would be shocked if we don’t see a huge improvement from her in the next couple games.
- Freshman Tatum Greene stood out as a rookie to watch. She settled right in and you wouldn’t have pegged her for a freshman if you didn’t know this was her first collegiate game. She ended the game with 6 points, 4 rebounds, an assist, a block, 2 steals, and no turnovers.
- Coach McNamee knows how to identify quality transfers, and Kennedi Jackson is no exception. The redshirt 5th year, who previously played at Oklahoma State and Charleston Southern, led all players tonight with 20 points. Her 13 rebounds also led the game and gave her the first BC double-double of the season.
Up next, BC will host Sacred Heart at 6 PK this Thursday night.