Boston College Shows Fight, But Cal’s Hot Shooting Proves Too Much in 73-58 Loss
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - It was a tale of two halves for Boston College women’s basketball on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles came out flat, battled back with grit, and ultimately couldn’t keep pace with a red-hot California squad that found its rhythm early and never fully let go.
BC fell 73-58 at home, dropping to 4-17 on the season and still in search of its first ACC win at 0-7. Cal, meanwhile, improves to 11-9 overall and 2-5 in conference play.
Let’s start with the bright spot: Lily Carmody. The sophomore guard came off the bench and delivered her best performance in ACC play this season, pouring in 17 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting. She also pulled down a team-high seven rebounds - matching her career high - and gave the Eagles a much-needed jolt of energy on both ends of the floor.
Jocelyne Grier added 15 points of her own, continuing to solidify her role as one of the top freshmen contributors in the conference. She’s now second among ACC freshmen in bench scoring with 174 points on the season - a stat that speaks volumes about both her consistency and spark off the pine. Kayla Rolph chipped in 10 points, and Amirah Anderson paced the team with three assists.
But the game was defined early by Cal’s lightning-fast start. The Golden Bears opened with a 13-0 run over the first six minutes, setting the tone with crisp ball movement and deadly shooting. They closed the first quarter up 21-10, having knocked down nearly 73 percent of their shots - the kind of start that puts any opponent on its heels.
To their credit, BC didn’t fold. In the second quarter, the Eagles clawed their way back into the game behind a spirited 11-2 run sparked by Rolph and Carmody.
The pair combined for all 11 points during that stretch, cutting the deficit to just four. A late layup from Erin Houpt brought the halftime score to 30-23, and suddenly the game had new life.
But each time BC made a push, Cal had an answer. The third quarter followed a familiar script: the Bears came out strong again, rebuilding a double-digit lead.
Still, BC hung around. Seven straight points midway through the frame made it a game again, and by the end of the third, the Eagles had trimmed the lead to 48-41.
Carmody opened the fourth with a layup to pull BC within five. Momentum was building.
But just as quickly, Cal slammed the door shut. The Bears ripped off a 17-2 run that effectively iced the game, riding a combination of perimeter shooting and interior efficiency that BC simply couldn’t match.
In total, Cal knocked down 14 threes and shot 50 percent from the field - a lethal combination that’s hard to overcome, especially when playing from behind.
Takeaways
- Carmody’s breakout showing: Her 17 points and seven rebounds weren’t just season highs in league play - they were a clear sign that she’s becoming a reliable offensive weapon off the bench. She averaged 14.0 points and 5.5 boards this past week while shooting nearly 46 percent. That’s the kind of production BC will need to lean on moving forward.
- Bench production showing signs of life: For just the second time this season, BC had a player score at least 15 off the bench - and for the first time since last year, two players hit that mark in the same game. It’s a small but meaningful step for a team that’s been looking for offensive depth.
- Grier’s consistency continues: Her scoring punch off the bench is one of the few constants in an otherwise turbulent season. She’s not just putting up numbers - she’s doing it with poise and confidence that belies her freshman status.
Boston College now gets a few days to regroup before hitting the road for a Sunday matchup against Louisville. The schedule doesn’t get any easier, but if the Eagles can bottle up the fight they showed in stretches against Cal - especially from their bench - they’ve got a foundation to build on.