By Jessica Man
Matthews Arena was the sight for the annual brawl between the Northeastern women’s basketball team and the Boston University Terriers last Wednesday. In the first of two meetings between these two America East rivals, the Terriers beat NU, 74-69. However, this wasn’t the only tough loss NU would suffer, as the University of Maine traveled to Solomon Court and beat NU 68-65 on Saturday.
Shaleyse Smallwood had a game-high 21 points, while Maralene Zwarich had 16 to extend her double-digit scoring streak to 13 games against Maine. The consistent scoring continued with Francesca Vanin and Michelle Decerbo, who had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Despite this, the Black Bears countered by never letting NU hold its lead for long, staying on top at the end of the second half.
At home on Wednesday against BU as well, the frustration for NU was already showing.
“It sucks, in two words, losing this game. We definitely should’ve won, but we’ll learn from it,” Zwarich said. This loss brings the Huskies to 7-7 overall and 2-3 in the America East.
Zwarich had a double-double – 25 points and 11 rebounds. But the Husky also fouled out of the game with 39 seconds left in the second half. This brought BU senior forward Larissa Parr, number 42, to the line, making both of her shots, and increasing the lead over NU, 72-67.
“Coach said to foul number 42, so I did my job. It sucks because the team needed me in the game,” Zwarich said. “You’re damned if you do, you’re damned if you don’t.”
The Huskies were playing without starting sophomore point guard Jody Burrows, who injured her ankle in the University of Maryland-Baltimore County game. Freshman guard Lucia Pablos took over her role, but rawness began to show. She also accumulated five fouls and left the game with 1:47 remaining. NU committed too many fouls, 21 compared to BU’s 15. This enabled the Terriers to take advantage of the freebies, making 24-of-31 free throw shots.
Pablos’ partner on the floor, freshman guard Smallwood, put up 15 points, went 8-8 for her free throws, but had three turnovers. She looked timid as the commander of her team.
“[Burrows] is a big part of the pride and intensity of the team. [Smallwood] and [Pablos] realized that they had to pick up the slack, but they weren’t ready to step it up today. I blame it on them both being freshmen and new. In the next couple games we will get it together without [Burrows],” Zwarich said.
The Huskies kept it close in the last couple minutes of the first half. Junior forward Decerbo laid in two at 2:14 left on the clock, tying the game, 32-32. In the next possession Zwarich forced Vanderwall to lose control of the ball. As she hustled towards NU’s basket BU freshman guard Corinne Jean fouled her. The Huskies were back in the lead, but Vanderwall’s three-pointer cut the score to 34-35 for the half.
NU wanted to come out strong in the second half, but their shots did not fall in their favor. BU had a 42.1 field goal percentage, while NU had a 36.1 field goal percentage. Decerbo was getting frustrated after a turnover at 12:53 in the second half, but Zwarich pumped her up with a couple lines and smacked some assurance on Decerbo’s backside.
“I told her to have confidence,” Zwarich said, “She has great shooting skills. She needs to bring what she does in practice into the games.”
Zwarich’s leadership reflected off of the hardwood floor. She called huddles, guided teammates individually and was 10-for-22 from the floor.
“That’s my job. If I don’t believe in us, it’s not going to happen. If my shots aren’t falling, then I’ll play defense,” Zwarich said.
This, however, was not enough to win the Huskies the game. The Huskies will get a chance to redeem themselves at Saturday’s away game against Binghamton University.
