UAlbany Women's Basketball Wins Third Straight in 76-50 Triumph Over Boston U. at SEFCU Arena

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Charity Iromuanya and Gia Sanders each scored 15 points in leading UAlbany to a 76-50 America East Conference victory over Boston University on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes, who have won three straight conference games for the first time since 2004-05, were playing a rare 12 noon game on NCAA Commitment to Education Day.

UAlbany (7-14, AE 5-3) reversed an early 15-14 deficit with eight unanswered. Sanders, who made 6-of-10 from the field and grabbed six rebounds, put her team ahead with a baseline jumper. Iromuanuya, a sophomore guard who posted the second-highest scoring total of her career, and Sanders each sank back-to-back three-point field goals to end that run.

The Great Danes led 27-21 later in the period, but finished the opening half with seven of the half’s final eight points. Sherri Mikus, who totaled eight points and 11 rebounds, put back a missed free throw. Freshman guard Janea Aiken, who had 12 points and six assists off the bench, converted a driving layup, before Sanders’ 16-foot jumper provided her team with a 34-22 halftime cushion.

In the second half, Boston U. (12-9, AE 5-3) closed within 36-26 on Amarac Umez-Eronini’s fastbreak layup. But the Great Danes put the game away with a 13-4 run. Iromuanya scored off an offensive rebound and made a pair of free throws in that stretch. Aiken connected in transition and Sanders made a fastbreak layup for a commanding 49-30 advantage with 11:49 remaining. UAlbany extended the margin above 20 points in the final eight minutes.

“We’re making small steps as a result of hard work in practice,” said UAlbany coach Trina Patterson, whose team shot a season-best 54.2 percent from the field on 32-of-59 attempts. “Our bench play was awesome. Our seniors are playing with passion and the freshmen are growing.”

Kasey Devine, a 6-foot-3 senior, was the lone BU player in double figures with 12 points. Cherri Raffo added nine points, including the 1,000th of her career. The Terriers, who had their three-game win streak halted, had captured 11 of the previous 13 games in this series.

“I loved the crowd with all of its energy,” stated Iromuanya, who reached double figures for the sixth time this season by hitting 5-of-10 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the line. “We were very aware on offense by passing well and finding the open player. When you play the better teams you need to bring your best game. We got a lot of help from our bench and there was no difference when they came in.”