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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) -- It was a fast start that never
stopped.
Boston College bolted to an 18-6 lead in the fist six minutes
Friday night and never looked back as the No. 17 Eagles beat
13th-seeded Nebraska 93-76 in the first round of the women's NCAA
Mideast Regional.
Alissa Murphy scored a season-high 26 points and Brianne
Stepherson had 23 for the fifth-seeded Eagles, who also got 20
points from Becky Gottstein.
"We were attacking their defense the whole night," said
Murphy, who hit three of the Eagles eight 3-pointers and added
seven rebounds.
Stepherson had nine of the first 18, and said being able to
knock her shot down from point guard is a key to freeing up the
Eagles other scoring threats.
"I found if I was taking shots and making them then (defenders)
would play me more honestly," she said. "That creates more
opportunities for my teammates."
Boston College (26-8), in the NCAA tournament for the second
consecutive season -- and the second time ever -- played like last
year paid off. The Eagles reached the second round last season,
losing 89-62 to powerhouse Tennessee.
"We have the experience ... and a whole lot more confidence,"
Murphy said.
The Eagles led 52-38 at halftime and pulled away after Nebraska
(18-13) twice pulled within 10 early in the second half. Stepherson
had seven straight in a span of 68 seconds, turning a 12-point lead
into a runaway with 12 minutes left.
"I was a bit surprised with Boston College's start," Nebraska
coach Paul Sanderford said. "Stepherson really hurt us with her
dribble penetration. I knew she was good, but early on she
basically controlled the basketball game."
Nicole Kubik paced Nebraska with 18 points and Brooke Schwartz
had 16.
Kubik, who had four of Nebraska's 25 turnovers, said her team
panicked when Boston College started the game pressing the ball and
causing the miscues. Nebraska had five turnovers and only two shots
after the first 3½ minutes.
Boston College forced 15 first-half turnovers and led 34-17
after 12½ minutes. The Eagles lead reached 19 twice, but Casey
Leonhardt scored her first 10 points in the final 3:45 of the half
as the Cornhuskers cut the deficit.
"We just couldn't get a defensive stop," Sanderford said of
the first half. "We shot 55 percent in the first half and were
down by 14. Then we made a run in the second half to get within 10,
but we just couldn't get over the hump."
Kubik hit a 15-footer to pull the Cornhuskers to 57-47 with
15:28 left. Murphy hit a 3-pointer 16 seconds later and Nebraska
didn't get within 10 again.
The Eagles lead by as many as 18 in the half.
"They're a great team," Kubik said. "You can't just pick one
player to stop."
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ALSO SEE
Womens College Basketball Scoreboard
Nebraska NCAA Team Report
Boston College NCAA Team Report
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