Tigers Fall To Eagles, 70-53

Feb. 5, 2006

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) – Sarah Marshall had a career-high 18 points and No. 23 Boston College won its fifth straight game, 70-53 over Clemson on Sunday.

Marshall came in averaging just better than five points this season for the Eagles (17-6, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference). But with their top scorer, Brooke Queenan, in foul trouble throughout, Marshall found her touch.

She had three baskets during an 18-8 run to rally Boston College, which had fallen behind the Lady Tigers 11-3. Marshall’s first basket of the second half gave the Eagles the lead for good, 29-28, and started a 12-2 run.

Lisa Macchia had 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Queenan had 13 points for Boston College, which evened its conference record after opening its first ACC season 0-4 in the league.

Marshall’s steady head and timely shooting did the trick against Clemson (8-14, 2-6).

The Eagles entered the game third in the ACC in shooting percentage, but had trouble finding the basket early on. They hit only one of their first seven shots and found themselves down eight with less than five minutes gone.

Macchia had a free throw and Marshall a bucket to start the Eagles’ comeback. Marshall added another jumper to tie it at 14. A third basket by Marshall put Boston College ahead 18-16.

Clemson scored the first five points of the second half to take a 28-27 lead but Marshall got BC rolling again with her go-ahead bucket.

Queenan followed with two foul shots and a short jumper, Marshall and Macchia had field goals and Aja Parham hit two foul shots to give the Eagles a 39-30 lead.

When the Lady Tigers cut it to 43-38 on Maxienne White’s field goal, Marshall got fouled driving to the basket and made both foul shots.

Those foul shots with 9:57 left tied Marshall’s career best of 14 points set against Fordham on Dec. 8, 2004. About the only question down the stretch was whether Marshall, second in the ACC in minutes played, could surpass her total – which she finally did with two buckets in the game’s final minute.

White led Clemson with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Frist had 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting for the Tigers.

Boston College led 27-23 at halftime.