Indiana University
Boston University
Hoosiers Top Terriers, 62-54
12/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 10, 2005
INDIANANPOLIS - Solid free throw shooting and tough defense helped the Indiana women's basketball team to a 62-54 win over Boston University on Dec. 10 at the RCA Dome. Led by senior Cyndi Valentin's game-high 24 points and senior Angela Hawkins' first double-double of the season, the Hoosiers improved their record to 5-4. Senior Jenny DeMuth registered 12 points and nine rebounds in the win.
"It's big for this team," head coach Sharon Versyp said. "We've played five road games in 11 days, and for us to do that and find ways to win says a lot. We are gaining a lot of confidence. The team is enjoying it and having fun, and they know when they mess up and that's what you want out of them. We are feeling good about ourselves right now, and need to finish these next two games strong."
Boston University jumped off to an early lead, but DeMuth drove inside to draw the foul to tie the score at 6-6. With 13 minutes left to play in the opening stanza, freshman Whitney Thomas snapped the Terriers 8-0 run by driving into the lane to pull Indiana within five. Valentin tightened things up by draining a long three-pointer with just under 11 minutes left in the half to raise the score to 16-13.
Valentin, who led IU at the half in scoring with 12 points, gave IU its first lead of the game at the six minute mark. To give Indiana the 23-21 lead, sophomore Nikki Smith followed Valentin's three pointer by netting a three of her own to give her a perfect mark from the field and beyond the arch. Late first half baskets by junior Carrie Smith and Hawkins contributed to the Hoosiers' 29-27 lead.
BU's Cheri Raffo led all first half scorers with 16 points, followed by Valentin who tallied 12 points, three rebounds and one assist. Smith added six points off her perfect first half shooting, while Hawkins netted four points and five rebounds. For the half, IU shot an impressive 75 percent (3-of-4) from three-point range.
Indiana opened the second half with a 6-0 spurt, holding the Terriers scoreless until the 16 minute mark. At the halfway point of the second half, IU held a four-point lead when Valentin increased the Hoosiers' advantage to six by sinking a pair of free throws to put the score at 47-41.
With five minutes left on the clock, Indiana led 50-44 thanks to baskets by Hawkins and a block by DeMuth. Pulling within six points with one minute remaining, BU's Kasey Devine sank a pair of free throws before the Terriers sent Valentin to the line to drain two more. To seal the game, Indiana regained possession on a jump ball then quickly fouled to send Valentin to the charity stripe, where she calmly sank a pair of free throws for a 60-52 edge.
En route to a 62-54 win, Indiana dominated Boston University in the paint, outscoring them 32-20. Led by Hawkins' season-high 16 boards, the Hoosiers outrebounded BU 48-33. In addition to her 16 rebounds, Hawkins registered 12 points for her the ninth career double-double.
Valentin, who was a perfect 11-of-11 from the free-throw line, tallied a game-high 24 points. To date, the Bloomington, Ind., native has registered 27 straight free throws.
"We practice free throws every day," Valentin said. "If you aren't hitting your shots, then you have to hit them when you get to the free-throw line. I think we did that today and it really helped us win the game."
The Hoosiers are back in action on Dec. 17 when they travel to Cincinnati. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. and the game can be heard locally on WHCC-FM 105.1.
