CHESTNUT HILL, M.A. – This past Wednesday, UNH women’s basketball opened their season with a 80-44 loss to Boston College; UNH’s ninth straight loss to BC. The game was the Wildcats’ first under new head coach Kelsey Hogan. 

BC began to run away with the lead in the back half of the first quarter. UNH was able to keep things close at first until the Eagles exploded with a 15-4 run in the last seven minutes to take a 20-10 lead.  

Hogan credited her team’s effort and said that there will always be growing pains when you start the season, especially without a preseason. The team is also still adjusting to Hogan’s system which she says will take time to learn.  

BC continued to stretch their lead in the second quarter, taking a 43-20 lead at one point. Hogan’s team was able to get hot as they closed out the second quarter with a 7-0 run.  

The Wildcats were blown out in the third quarter, losing the scoring battle 24-5. Despite the discrepancy on the stat sheet, Hogan said she saw great fight from her team. 

“I don’t think the score is always reflective of how the game went. We competed the whole game and challenged them the whole game.” 

UNH put up their best challenge of the night in the fourth quarter. The ‘Cats went down fighting and outscored the Eagles 13-12 in the final frame. UNH finished the game shooting 26.7% and only sinking 2-of-15 from behind the arc. BC was better in both categories, hitting 40% from the field and shooting 6-for-17 from three. 

“We challenged and stayed fighting the whole game and that showed in the fourth,” said Hogan.  

Sophomore guard Helena Delaruelle lead the Wildcats with 12 points followed by senior captain Amanda Torres with 10. The 12-point performance marks a career-high for Delaruelle. First-year center Paige Cote lead UNH with seven rebounds. Delaruelle was close behind with six grabs off the glass.  

UNH will look to improve to 1-1 on Friday, Nov. 27, when they travel to Bryant University and take on the Bulldogs at 2 p.m. Coach Hogan said she hopes the team can keep up their effort level while improving on their execution. 

Photo Courtesy of UNH Athletics