Sometimes you get punched... and you get punched again. And things just don't go your way. The odds are against you. Your best scorer and playmaker is unavailable for action. Your opponent is the best ranked NCAA D2 team in the East Region- and the next night your opponent is ranked right behind at #2. It doesn't matter- you still have to compete. It's a chance to get better. It's a chance to develop someone else.... but you have to take the chance, it won't be given to you. I guess you've gathered that we lost both our final non-conference (never call it 'exhibition'- the only basketball team that plays exhibitions are the Globetrotters!) games this weekend. We did but what an opportunity to play versus the competition we faced!
 
Thursday, November 1, 2018       BU 37 -  Bentley (Waltham, Ma.) 61 Box Score
The team got off the bus , walked into the Bentley College gym- one of the greatest basketball programs in the USA at their level (2014 National Champions, 10 Final 4's and their coach Barb Stevens has over 1,000 career wins- not a typo)- and promptly got overwhelmed 23-2 after the first quarter. We settled down in the 2nd winning it 13-7 (Bentley must have been shocked!!) and went into halftime down 30-15. It just wasn't going to happen- we took hurried shots (2 for 21 from 3), missed easy chances and could not convert from free throw line 53 %. As I said- sometimes you get punched... but you have to get up and find a way to do better. To compete.
Maude Archambault (St-Augustine-de-Desmaures, Que./Cegep de Montmorency) led us with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Marie Berrouette (Montreal, Que./Dawson College) rejoined the team after a 2 week absence and recorded 10 steals with her athleticism- those need to and will be converted into points.
 
Friday, November 2, 2018            BU 47 -  St. Anselm's 78 (Bedford, N.H.)
Once again, we had a team jump out and go for the jugular. We scored unlike the night before but we gave up too many going down 29-16 after 1 quarter.
It was 52-25 and we had a choice- wilt or just go out and battle. We did the latter losing the second half 26-22. Hey, you have to look for a silver lining. We know we're better than this but we need to prove it. Maude was brilliant scoring 20 points and displaying sound shot selection going 3/7 from 3 points and attacking the D going 7/11 from the free throw line. Marie Berrouette (Montreal, Que./Dawson College) grabbed 10 rebounds and we converted our regular starting "4" Metcheline Gabelus to play the point position all weekend- Metch had 4 assists and 2 steals.
 
Bottom line: From a coaching staff point of view, we know we are shorthanded, and will be for the next few games. This type of competition DOES make you tougher. Our league is as well coached as there is. Each team in the Q has great talent- it is exciting women's basketball. Next up Saturday night at 6 pm, November 10 will be our home opener vs UQAM. We are up to challenge and we can't wait to prepare- we have a week to get it right and show that we learned something. We hope to see you at Mitchell Gym- we appreciate your support.
 
Eddie Pomykala is an assistant coach with the women's basketball team and former head coach of the men's basketball program.