Boston College Press Releases cont.

Amber in the News
2000-2001

Saturday, March 31, 2001
Women's Hoops Struggles to 15-14

By Roger Smerage (The Heights)

For the Boston College women�s basketball team, with last November came high hopes. The Eagles, led by senior co-captains Jamie Cournoyer and Danielle O�Banion, wanted to repeat their performance of the 1999-2000 season. When asked about what the goals for the season were in the Fall, Head Coach Cathy Inglese told The Heights, �We wanted to make the NCAA tournament.� It was that simple.

It would prove to be easier said than done. In a season plagued by injuries, the Eagles finished 15-14 overall, with a 7-9 Big East conference record. The team clinched the seventh seed in the Big East tournament, but fell to Connecticut in the quarterfinals to end the season. No NCAA bid. The Eagles weren�t even invited to the NIT.

�We were disappointed we didn�t make the NIT. We had the highest RPI ranking of any team that didn�t make the NCAA or NIT,� said Inglese. �Maybe if we had eked out a few more games, we would be there.�

The season started out the way BC wanted it to, with wins. The Eagles went to East Lansing, MI to compete in the Chevrolet Classic. With an 80-64 victory over Tennessee Tech and a 63-61 nail-biter win over Michigan State, BC traveled home with the tournament title and a 2-0 record. But when Duke came to town on November 22, things changed.

The Eagles got off to a good start against the Blue Devils, but midway through the first half, junior point guard Brianne Stepherson re-injured her right knee. She finished the rest of the game, but the Eagles gave up a 17-2 run to the Blue Devils, who went on to win 67-49. That night, a doctor told Stepherson that she had not re-aggravated her ACL, which she had injured last year, but strained the pes ancerine in her knee. In other words, she would miss the next month of the season.

Without Stepherson, the Eagles traveled to Worcester and beat Holy Cross to get a key victory, improving to 3-1. On December 3, BC went to the FleetCenter to host the fifth-ranked Purdue Boilermakers after a Celtics game. A close game throughout, the Eagles fell in the end, 73-61. That same week, BC traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee, only to lose 72-57 to the second-ranked Lady Vols of Tennessee.

�We played in a bigger venue, and that gave us the ability to play a top five team in a big environment. That helped when we went to Tennessee,� Inglese said about the game at the FleetCenter.

The Eagles non-conference schedule in December seemed lax, and BC picked up victories against LaSalle and Dartmouth. The Eagles were 5-3, and Stepherson was returning to the roster for the Kent State game. However, the Golden Flashes extended their home winning streak to 35 games by defeating the Eagles 72-68. The next Sunday, BC fell out of the coaches� poll. Two days later, Stepherson strained her patella tendon in practice. Inglese was forced to announce she would miss the rest of the season.

�[Brianne] certainly was a vital part of the team. She had started two years at point guard and had two years of experience at the position. Kim [Mackie] also was a big impact. She is our best post player, and the most athletic big kid. That�s something we really missed,� Inglese commented about the injuries this year. Mackie did not play this season, as she was recovering from a torn ACL.

BC split its next two games, beating Buffalo and falling to Fairfield. The first game of 2001 gave the Eagles hopes of a great second half. Freshman Amber Jacobs , who took over the point guard position, led the Eagles to a blowout victory against St. John�s, 75-36. BC had opened its Big East schedule with a dominating win, and was 7-5 overall.

And then it fell apart. BC lost nine of its next ten games. Three of the losses were crushing defeats at home. Miami, Virginia Tech, and Villanova all came into Conte Forum and beat the Eagles. The final two games of the stretch were an 81-65 loss to the top-ranked Irish of Notre Dame and a 78-53 defeat at the hands of the University of Connecticut. BC was 8-14 overall and 2-9 in the Big East.

However, Inglese saw something to build on.

�Going into the UConn / Notre Dame week, we reassessed the whole schedule. After those games, we had five left. We said, �Lets go out and play. Lets beat some of these teams.� I was really pleased. The players could have just sat back and said, �Okay, we�re not going to the NCAA tournament.� But they didn�t do that.�

Instructing her players and the media to think of the last five games as a �mini-season,� Inglese worked her magic well. Over the last five games, the Eagles went 5-0. During the stretch, BC went down to Blacksburg, VA and gave Virginia Tech a taste of its own medicine, beating he Hokies 65-59. When Georgetown came to Conte on February 21, freshman Janelle McManus stole the show. McManus scored a career-high 24 points, including some clutch three-pointers down the stretch, to lead the Eagles to an 85-80 win. A thrilling overtime victory over Pittsburgh and an 18-point win over West Virginia gave BC a five game winning streak to close the regular season, and give the Eagles the seventh seed in the Big East tournament.

In the first round game against Miami, the 10th seed, Cournoyer decided she did not want the season to end just yet. Cournoyer led the Eagles to a 62-49 victory with a season-high 24 points. The win propelled BC into the quarterfinals. However, the Eagles faced second-seeded Connecticut, which was ranked third in the nation and hosting the tournament.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, the basketball gods felt no pity for the underdog. UConn rolled over BC 96-53, on a day where nothing went right for the women from Chestnut Hill.

�Against Miami we played well, but UConn was a disappointment. We were really disappointed about how we performed. I was pleased we got to the second round, but we had a tough seeding,� said Inglese.

The Eagles were led by the solid play of junior Becky Gottstein all year, save the five games she missed due to a broken hand. Gottstein averaged 16.4 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game. She also moved into third place in Big East career scoring and second in Big East career rebounding this season. Gottstein was twice named Co-Player of the Year in the Big East and also was named to the second team All-Big East.

The two seniors, Cournoyer and O�Banion, led the team in two very different ways. Cournoyer guided the team on the court, using her size to work underneath the basket. O�Banion, who scored a career-high 11 points against Holy Cross this season, led from the bench, as she missed most of the second half of the season with an ankle sprain and a bony edema of the ankle. She dressed for the first time in thirteen games against Pitt on Senior Day on February 24.

�Danielle helped with the leadership and Jamie, her experience at the front was important,� Inglese said of the seniors.

�The big thing was the experience we lacked,� Inglese said when asked about the season as a whole. �We were in every single game this year except for the last game against UConn and I think that gave the kids experience. I�m hoping that has more impact next season.�

BIG EAST WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Eagles blow by Hurricanes

Top seed UConn on deck for BC
By Susan Bickelhaupt, Globe Staff, 3/4/2001

TORRS, Conn - Boston College lived to play another game. Led by Jamie Cournoyer's season-high 24 points, the seventh-seeded Eagles defeated the 10th-seeded Miami Hurricanes, 62-49, last night in the opening round of the Big East tournament. BC (14-14) will face Connecticut in a quarterfinal tonight at 6.

Last night's crowd at Gampel Pavilion was announced as a sellout (10,027), but based on the empty seats, most UConn fans are probably waiting until tonight to make themselves heard.

The Eagles, who struggled to stay with the Hurricanes (13-15) in the first half, came out of the locker room determined to build on their 1-point halftime edge. Cournoyer, the 6-foot-3-inch center who averaged only 8 points and 6.1 rebounds this season, led the charge as she scored 9 points during the Eagles' 11-2 run to open the second half. The senior also closed the game the same way. With 24 seconds left, she hit two free throws and hit a hook shot 10 seconds later to seal it.

''I was just pumped up,'' Cournoyer said. ''In the first half, it seemed like we weren't getting anything going, we had no spark. So I guess I took the initiative. I didn't want to go home today.''

BC, which has won six straight, hasn't been eliminated in the first round since 1996, when it fell to Rutgers.

Miami undoubtedly came in full of confidence. The last time the teams met, the Hurricanes earned their first road victory since last March.

Miami hit two quick jumpers for a 4-0 lead, but BC came back with a layup by Cournoyer and two free throws by Becky Gottstein. That pattern repeated itself for the rest of the half as the teams were tied six times in the first 20 minutes.

Miami's biggest lead came at 21-16 with 6:39 left in the half after a jumper by Alicia Hartlaub. But BC responded with a 3-pointer by freshman Janelle McManus and a jumper by Cournoyer. It was back and forth until an Amber Jacobs free throw sent the Eagles into the locker room with a 27-26 lead.

''We just didn't come out and play,'' BC coach Cathy Inglese said. ''We had talked about wanting to play them a second time, and we weren't taking advantage of it. I said, `Let's just do it.'''

And they did. In addition to Cournoyer's 24 points (including 8 of 10 free throws), McManus had 12 points and junior Nicole Conway had 7 points and 14 rebounds.

Miami coach Ferne Labati said her team suffered after Chanivia Broussard collected her fourth foul just two seconds into the second half. The 6-foot forward scored 10 of her team-high 20 points in the first half.

''That took us out of our plan,'' Labati said.

Cournoyer converted 1 of 2 free throws after the foul, and the Eagles were off and running.

Inglese just smiled when asked about facing the defending national champions tonight.

''They are a great team, and we enjoy playing the best teams,'' she said.

Jacobs And Gottstein Named To All-BIG EAST Teams

Women's basketball places two players on all-league teams.

March 2, 2001 HARTFORD, Conn. - Two Eagles were honored by the BIG EAST at the annual BIG EAST women's basketball championship banquet. Junior Forward Becky Gottstein was named to the Second Team All-BIG EAST, while freshman guard Amber Jacobs was selected as a member of the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team .

Gottstein is the team's leader in scoring and rebounding, averaging 16.4 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game. Her marks also place her third in the league in scoring and second in rebounding.

Jacobs is the only Eagle to start every game this season, starting all 27 guard. She currently averages 11.4 points per game and 3.0 assists per game.

Has started all 26 games this season at guard, the only Eagles to start every game � is currently second on the team in scoring with a 11.7 points per game average � netted a career-high 29 points against Fairfield on 10-for-15 shoot-ing (three-for-six three pointers and six-for-six free throws), while adding five assists and two steals in 45 minutes ... recorded 23 points against Dartmouth on nine-for-14 shooting ... named BIG EAST Rookie of the Week on Dec. 18 for her play against the Big Green ... led all the Eagles with 19 points on the road against Kent State ... led all scorers at Georgetown, netting 21 points in the full 40 minutes ... shot six-for-10 against Tennessee for 16 points, while adding four rebounds in 38 minutes ... netted 14 points in the finals of the Chevrolet Classic against Michi-gan State, including three three-pointers � was named to the all-tournament team at the Chevrolet Classic � netted 12 against third-ranked Duke, while adding three steals � had six assists and 11 points in 27 minutes against Holy Cross � had seven assists against Purdue, while adding eight points in at point guard ... at La Salle, had 10 points, five assists and two steals in 36 minutes ... scored 14 points and added five assists in a home win over Buffalo ... at St. John�s, led all scorers with 14 points and added three rebounds, three assists and one steal ... snapped an eight-game double-figures scoring streak against Miami ... played all 45 minutes of the overtime loss at Rutgers, scoring eight points ... tied a career-high with four rebounds, while adding four assists and registering her first career block, against Virginia Tech ... returned to double-figure scoring against Providence with 12 points; also added four assists and two steals ... had a career-high eight assists at Syracuse, while grabbing four rebounds to tie a career high ... scored 12 points and added five assists against 24th-ranked Villanova ... hit three-of-six three pointers on her way to 11 points against No. 1 Notre Dame ... scored 18 points to lead all scorers against Seton Hall at home; added four assists and four steals in 36 minutes ... scored nine points and added five assists in 29 minutes against Georgetown at home ... registered 11 points against Pittsburgh, also had two assists and one steal ... has netted double-figures in 16 of 26 games this season ... leads the team with 98 assists for a 3.8 per game average � is a 76.5 percent free throw shooter.

Amber Jacobs� Career/Season Highs
Points ..................... 29 vs. Fairfield (12/30/00)
3-pt. FG�s .............. 3 vs. two opponents
Rebounds ............... 4 vs. four opponents
Assists .................... 8 vs. Syracuse (1/26/01)
Steals ...................... 4 vs. two opponents
Blocks ..................... 1 vs. Virginia Tech (1/17/01)
Minutes .................. 45 vs. two opponents

Women's Hoops Continues Late Season Surge With Overtime Win

Eagles take a 65-63 win in an extra session from Pittsburgh on Senior Day.

Feb. 24, 2001 CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The Boston College women's basketball team continued its late season surge, taking its fourth game in a row with a 65-63 overtime win over Pittsburgh in front of 1,929 fans. Janelle McManus converted a running jumper and then connected on the ensuing foul shot to lift the Eagles from two points down to the win.

"I was pleased with our team's perseverance," Boston College head coach Cathy Inglese said. "We were down by four in overtime and the girls did not give up. We had two good defensive stops and then Janelle made a gutsy shot. She iced the win with the foul shot which is great execution for a freshman. We made the big plays when we had to and that's what gave us the win."

The Panthers went into overtime and took a four-point lead after Dallas Williams connected in a jumper from the foul line. BC came back, added a Gottstein basket and then added the three-point play from McManus that gave the team a one-point lead. Driving down court with the ball looking to even the score, the Panthers turned the ball over to Amber Jacobs , who hit a free throw to ice the win with :03 left.

Gottstein led all scorers with 25 points, one shy of her career high. She also grabbed eight rebounds while playing all 45 minutes. Jacobs scored 11. Conway had an all-around game with nine points, eight rebounds, seven assists (tying a career-high) and five steals (also tying a career-high). She added a block in the first half, while playing 43 minutes. BC honored seniors Cournoyer and Danielle O'Banion in a pregame ceremony.

Boston College moved to 12-14 overall and 6-9 in the BIG EAST. Pittsburgh fell to 9-17 overall and 3-12 in the league.

BC 70 SETON HALL 58
Eagles compose a winning piece

By Susan Bickelhaupt, Globe Staff, 2/15/2001
The Boston College women's basketball team was on a five-game losing skid going into last night's game, and Seton Hall was on a four-game winning streak.

But both came to an end as the Eagles defeated the Pirates, 70-58, at Conte Forum. BC coach Cathy Inglese was smiling after the game, for the first time in a long while.

''It was so nice, a great team effort,'' she said. Four Eagles scored in double figures, led by freshman guard Amber Jacobs (18 points on 8-of-12 shooting). Forward Nicole Conway added 15 with six assists, while Becky Gottstein had 14 points, and Janelle McManus had 11.

The crowd of 1,064 had reason to smile, too. After winning each of its games at Conte Forum last season, the Eagles won at home for just the third time.

A lot of players and coaches say certain games are must wins. But it was no exaggeration for Boston College (9-14, 3-9 Big East), which had lost nine of its last 10 and needed the victory to stay in contention for the Big East tournament, where only the top 12 of the 14 teams are invited.

''We went over our goals, and said we had a five-game season left,'' Inglese said. ''So yes, this was a must-win, for morale and because we've been working so hard. This was something that was very needed, but very much earned, too.''

The Eagles took a 15-10 lead as they held the Pirates to just two field goals (although both were 3-pointers by Cecilia Lindqvist, who had a team-high 16 points) and four free throws. The Eagles got off to a hot start, hitting seven of their first nine shots, while the Pirates went 2 for 11.

The Eagles' lead grew to 19-10 with 9:11 remaining in the first half, but Seton Hall came back with 8 straight points. The Eagles remained calm, responded with some hoops, and headed to the locker room with a 29-24 lead.

But the 5-point deficit didn't seem daunting to the Pirates, who had won eight of their last nine. They started the second half with an 11-2 run to take the lead.

But a jumper by Jacobs , a layup by Gottstein, and a 3-pointer by Jacobs put the Eagles back in front, and they eventually built an 11-point lead, 60-49, with 3:13 left.

''We tied the game up, then I thought our team relaxed,'' said Seton Hall coach Phyllis Mangina. ''They made plays and we didn't respond.''

Seton Hall (16-7, 9-3) missed layups, shot airballs, and finished 19 of 61 from the field (31.1 percent). Just the opposite was true for the Eagles, who shot 52 percent from the field (26 for 40).

Eagles Knock Off Seton Hall, 70-58

Women's Basketball uses double-figures from four players to top the Pirates.
Feb. 14, 2001
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The Boston College women's basketball team snapped a five-game losing streak with a 70-58 win over the visiting Seton Hall Pirates in front of 1,064 fans tonight.

The Eagles opened up a 13-5 lead six minutes into the game, but Seton Hall fought back and twice made the game a one-point contest. BC regained a four-point advantage as Janelle McManus hit a three pointer off an inbound play with 3:49 left in the first half. Nicole Conway converted a jumper to give the Eagles a five-point lead going into the half.

Seton Hall came out of the intermission and scored seven straight points on a 7-2 run that tied the game, 31-31, with 18:11 left to play and then continued the run to 11-0 and took a four-point lead, 35-31. BC scored four straight points and tied the game, but the Pirates' Charlene Thomas scored on a lay-up to start a back and forth battle over the next few minutes, but BC was able to hold the advantage through the run. Thomas converted another lay-up that gave SHU a one-point advantage, but Eagle Amber Jacobs netted the first of her two three pointers to wrestle back the lead. From there, the Eagles allowed only one more tie before going on a 17-4 run, keyed by five points from Jacobs and Conway and four from Becky Gottstein. With 2:23 left, BC led 62-49.

Over the last two and a half minutes, McManus netted four free throws and a lay-up and Adriana Spears converted four free throws to hand the Eagles a 70-58 win. The loss was Seton Hall's first loss of the season on the road.

Four Eagles scored in double-figures, led by Jacobs' 18 points. Conway netted 15 and Gottstein added 14 for her 11th straight game scoring in double figures. McManus added 11 for her fourth straight double-digit scoring effort. Conway, Gottstein and Spears led BC with six rebounds apiece.

Notre Dame vs. Boston College
February 3, 2001 Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Cathy Inglese-Boston College Head Coach

"I was really happy with the game. We played the number one team in the country and at one point I turned to my staff and said we have three freshman out there."

On the freshman.... "They are doing a nice job. They are doing what they can. I was really pleased with Amber (Jacobs) and Janelle (McManus) not just offensive wise by defensive wise and obviously there are a few things we can do a little bit better to be successful. But overall their enthusiasm, they didn't give up the whole game. They are ready to work hard. That all I really can ask from them at this time of the year."

Women's Basketball Falls To No. 24 Villanova, 71-56

Jan. 27, 2001
BOSTON (AP) - Katie Davis scored a career-high 23 points and Mimi Riley had 13 as No. 24 Villanova beat Boston College 71-56 Saturday in front of 1738 fans at Conte Forum.

Becky Gottstein led the Eagles (8-11, 2-6) with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Nicole Conway added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Amber Jacobs also scored 12 points for the Eagles. The game marked the third time this season the Eagles had two players with double-doubles in the same contest. Boston College has dropped six of its last seven games, all in the conference.

Women's Basketball - Syracuse Game Notes

Eagles (8-9) travel to face Orangewomen (8-7) on Wednesday.
Jan. 23, 2001

Freshman Amber Jacobs has already made her mark on the backcourt. Starting all 16 of the Eagles' games so far this year, Jacobs is second on the team with 13.3 points per game, including a career-high 29-point performance against Fairfield on Dec. 30. Her previous high was 23, set against Dartmouth on Dec. 12. A week earlier, she scored 16 points against the second-ranked Lady Vols at Tennessee on Dec. 9. In the final of the Chevrolet Classic against Michigan State, she came out with a 14-point performance and was named to the all-tournament team for her play. She also leads the team with 62 assists for a 3.7 per game average, including a career-high seven-assist game against Purdue. She has scored in double-figures in 12 of the team's 17 games this season.

Gottstein Leads Eagles Over Providence, 76-66

Junior nets 19 and Jamie Cournoyer adds a double-double to snap four-game skid.
Jan. 20, 2001

PROVIDENCE - Junior Becky Gottstein led five players in double figures as the Boston College women's basketball team snapped its four-game winless streak with a 76-66 victory over Providence this afternoon in front of 1,433 fans in Alumni Hall.

The Eagles took an 11-point lead in the first half, but in a similar fashion to the two teams' second contest last season, the Friars clawed back to trail by only four at the half. Providence's Monika Roberts scored nine straight points for the Friars and then the team went on an 8-2 run to close the half. At the break, BC led 34-30 as Gottstein netted 13 points and senior Jamie Cournoyer grabbed 12 rebounds during the first 20:00 for the Eagles. Roberts led the Friars with 11 points.

The second half opened with a strong defensive effort by the Eagles. Boston College held PC scoreless for the first five minutes of the half and had only given up seven points with 10:00 to play. Holding an eight-point lead with 13:35 to play, Cournoyer netted eight of the team's next 15 points and the Eagles capped a run that gave them a 16-point lead, 56-40, with 7:25 left.

PC's Andrea Horvath and BC's freshman Janelle McManus traded three pointers and, with 5:18 left in the game, BC was able to convert on 12 of 13 free throws to secure the win.

Gottstein led the Eagles with 19 points, while sophomore Alicia Shields tied a career high with 15. McManus netted 14, while Cournoyer and freshman Amber Jacobs each added 12. Cournoyer led all rebounders with 14, tying a career high, and also had three blocks. Roberts led the Friars with a game-high 23 points and added three blocks.

With the win, Boston College improved to 8-9 overall and 2-4 in BIG EAST play. The Eagles will next face Syracuse on Wednesday, Jan. 24 in Syracuse at 7 p.m.

Women's Basketball Looking To Snap Skid With Win Over Hokies
Jan. 16, 2001

The Game: Boston College enters Wednesday's game amid a three-game losing streak after falling 75-66 in overtime at No. 12 Rutgers on Saturday. Currently, BC is 7-8 overall and 1-3 in BIG EAST play.

Freshman Amber Jacobs has already made her mark on the backcourt. Starting all 15 of the Eagles' games so far this year, Jacobs leads the team with 14.1 points per game, including a career-high 29-point performance against Fairfield on Dec. 30. Her previous high was 23, set against Dartmouth on Dec. 12. A week earlier, she scored 16 points against the second-ranked Lady Vols at Tennessee on Dec. 9. In the final of the Chevrolet Classic against Michigan State, she came out with a 14-point performance and was named to the all-tournament team for her play. She also leads the team with 48 assists for a 3.6 per game average, including a career-high seven-assist game against Purdue. She has scored in double-figures in 11 of the team's 15 games this season.

This season, two players are averaging 30+ minutes a game. Jacobs leads the team, playing an average of 35.9 minutes per game, while Gottstein is second averaging 30.1 minutes per contest.

MIAMI 65 BC 59 Error-prone BC dusted by Miami

By Susan Bickelhaupt, Globe Staff, 1/11/2001
The Miami Hurricanes have not committed more turnovers than their opponents this season - a statistic that haunted the Boston College women's basketball team last night. The Eagles committed 17 turnovers in the first half alone, and 23 in the game, as Miami (with only 16 total turnovers) defeated BC, 65-59, before 1,054 fans at Conte Forum.

The Eagles (7-7, 1-2 Big East) had some offensive spurts, including a 9-0 run in the second half, but never caught up to the Hurricanes (8-5, 1-2). ''We just didn't put together a full game,'' said BC coach Cathy Inglese. ''We lost in the first half, when we had 17 turnovers.'' And Miami, which BC held to 36.7 percent shooting from the floor, took full advantage, scoring at least 10 points off BC turnovers.

The Eagles' bright spot came from forward Becky Gottstein, who showed no ill effects from a broken hand she suffered last month, leading BC with 19 points, to go with eight rebounds. Teammate Nicole Conway added 10 points.

Miami, winner of five of its last seven games, but no road victories since last March, came out fired up. Miami senior guard Dalia Clarke scored three straight field goals and freshman forward Chanivia Broussard added another to put the Hurricanes up, 17-12, with 12:48 left in the half.

The Eagles edged back with a steal by freshman Amber Jacobs that led to a layup by freshman guard Janelle McManus. A layup by Gottstein brought BC to within 1 at 17-16. But the Eagles virtually stood still for the next three minutes as Miami went on a 10-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Clarke. The Eagles scored only two more field goals and a free throw as Miami took a 29-21 lead at the break.

Clarke, who leads Miami in rebounding (5.8 per game), was a force inside and outside, with a career-high 24 points (9 for 12) and 13 rebounds, tying her career best. ''Coach [Ferne Labati] said just go for the ball, wherever it is,'' said Clarke, a 5-foot-11-inch senior. Broussard finished with 18 points.

Labati said she expected a tough game from Boston College. Both teams have started on the stretch of Big East games that lasts until the conference tournament in March. ''We knew it was going to be a battle,'' Labati said.

Inglese said she felt better about the second half - particularly when McManus hit a wide-open 3-pointer to bring the Eagles to 53-50 - but was ultimately discouraged. ''And it wasn't so much Miami's defense, it was poor decision-making on our part,'' she said. ''One of the major things we talked about before the game was taking care of the ball and making smart decisions, and we didn't do that today. And that, I think, was the game.''

Women's Basketball - Miami Game Notes

Eagles (7-6) looking to rebound at home against Hurricanes (7-5)
Jan. 9, 2001

The Game: Boston College enters Wednesday's game following a 70-65 loss to Georgetown in a BIG EAST Conference game on Jan. 6 in Washington, DC. Currently, BC is 7-6 overall and 1-1 in BIG EAST play. The Eagles opened the season with two wins in the Chevrolet Classic before dropping a game to No. 3 Duke at home. BC improved to 3-1 with a road win over Holy Cross, but dropped its next two to No. 5 Purdue and No. 2 Tennessee. The Eagles earned two wins over La Salle and Dartmouth. BC lost to Kent State on the road, before defeating Buffalo at home. BC fell to Fairfield in overtime at home to end the millenium, but then opened the BIG EAST season with a 75-36 win over St. John's on Jan. 2.

Two Eagles are averaging double figures in scoring, led by freshman Amber Jacobs' 15.0 points per game average. Junior Becky Gottstein is second, averaging 12.4 points per game. Gottstein also leads the team in rebounding with a 7.4 per game average, while Nicole Conway is second with a 6.8 rebounds per game mark. Classmate Rachel Byars is averaging 6.5 boards per game. Jacobs is also the team's leader in assists, posing 3.7 per game. Conway follows with 3.2 per contest.

Who's Hot: Nicole Conway has averaged 10.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in the last four games. She's shot 43.6 percent from the floor (17-for-39) and 42.9 percent from behind the three-point arc (six-for-14) in those games ... Amber Jacobs has scored in double figures for the past eight games and averaged 18.3 points per game in that span ... the Eagles' defense allowed just six points in the first half of the St. John's game, a BIG EAST record in conference game. They allowed the Red Storm just 22.6 percent shooting in the game.

Climbing Jacobs' Scoring Ladder: Freshman Amber Jacobs has already made her mark on the backcourt. Starting all 13 of the Eagles' games so far this year, Jacobs leads the team with 15.0 points per game, including a career-high 29-point performance against Fairfield on Dec. 30. Her previous high was 23, set against Dartmouth on Dec. 12. A week earlier, she scored 16 points against the second-ranked Lady Vols at Tennessee on Dec. 9. In the final of the Chevrolet Classic against Michigan State, she came out with a 14-point performance and was named to the all-tournament team for her play. She also leads the team with 46 assists for a 3.8 per game average, including a career-high seven-assist game against Purdue.

She has scored in double-figures in her last seven games (averaging 18.3 points per game) and in 11 of the team's 13 games this season.

This season, two players are averaging 30+ minutes a game. Jacobs leads the team, playing an average of 34.9 minutes per game, while Byars averages 31.8 minutes an outing.
Women's Hoops Falls To Hoyas, 70-65

Eagles' late rally against Georgetown falls short.
Jan. 6, 2001 WASHINGTON - The Boston College women's basketball traveled to Georgetown for the first time since the 1997-98 season, but was unable to come away with the win, falling 70-65 in the BIG EAST Conference contest.

Georgetown jumped out to a 21-5 lead in the first half, but the Eagles were able to claw back to within 11 points with :38 to play in the half on eight free throws (six by Becky Gottstein and two by Jamie Cournoyer) and two three pointers by Amber Jacobs . The Hoyas took a 13-point lead, 36-23, into the locker room as Katie Smrcka-Duffy netted her 11th and 12th points of the half to close the first.

The Eagles came out with a stronger offensive push a more settled defensive effort in the second half. With 14:52 left to play, Boston College had whittled the Hoya lead to only seven, 44-37. Georgetown built the lead back up to 12 just two minutes later. Behind seven Jacobs' points, Georgetown clung to a three-point lead with 7:35 to play as the Eagles capped a 12-3 run.

The two teams battled back and forth until, with 3:13 to play, the Eagles went on an 8-1 run, keyed by five Nicole Conway points to bring the Eagles within a basket, 64-62. But, Boston College was able to get no closer and the game ended with a five-point spread.

Boston College shot just 20.8 percent in the first half, but was able to connect on 11-of-13 free throws to keep the team within reach. For the game, the team shot 32.1 percent after a 40.6 percent second half. The team was 25-for-31 from the free thrown line in the game.

BC was led by Jacobs , who netted 21 points while playing the full 40 minutes. Gottstein added 16 and posted her fourth double-double of the season with 11 rebounds. Conway also was in double-digit rebounds with 10. Georgetown was led by Rebekkah Brunson who netted 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Smrcka-Duffy added 17. The Eagles did out-rebound the Hoyas 44-33 in the game.

With the loss, the Eagles dropped to 7-6 on the season and 1-1 in BIG EAST play. Georgetown moved to 9-4 overall and evened its conference mark at 1-1.

Boston College will next face Miami in a league game on Wednesday, Jan. 10, in a 7 p.m. game at Conte Forum.

BC - Georgetown Women's Basketball Game Notes

Freshman Amber Jacobs has already made her mark on the backcourt, starting all 12 of the Eagles' games so far this year.

Jacobs leads the team, playing an average of 34.5 minutes per game.

Climbing Jacobs' Scoring Ladder : Freshman Amber Jacobs has continued to out do herself this season. She has set four new career-highs in scoring this season and is looking to continue to reset the mark.

She most recently set the bar at 29 points when she shot 10-for-15 (three-for-six three-pointers and six-for-six free throws) against Fairfield on Dec. 30. She also added five assists. Her 29 points is the highest point total by a BIG EAST women's player this season. Previously, she was nine-for-14 from the floor against Dartmouth on Dec. 12 for 23 points. She was named BIG EAST rookie of the week on Dec. 18 for her perfomance against the Big Green.

Before that, she picked the nation's second best team to light up, scoring 16 points on six-for-10 shooting against Tennessee in Knoxville. In just her second collegiate game, she initially set her career high with 14 points on four-for-six shooting (three-for-four from three point range) against Michigan State in the finals of the Chevrolet Classic.

The rookie from Clarks Summit, Pa. has scored in double-figures in 10 of 12 games this season and in each of her last seven games. Over the recent stretch, she has averaged 17.9 points per contest.

BC creams St. John's in Big East opener(ESPN)

Feeding off a 29-6 lead at the half, the Boston College women's basketball team won its Big East opener with a 75-36 victory over St. John's in Jamaica, N.Y. The Eagles' defense held the Red Storm to just 13.0 percent shooting (three-for-23) in the first half. Overall, the Red Storm shot 22.6 percent in the game. The Eagles were led by freshman Amber Jacobs' 14 points, while juniors Nicole Conway and Rachel Byars each added 10. BC also dominated the Red Storm on the glass, pulling down 53 rebounds to St. John's 31.

Women's Basketball Wins BIG EAST Opener

The Eagles allow only six points in the first half; cruise to a 75-36 victory over St. John's.
Jan. 2, 2001

Feeding off a 29-6 lead at the half, the Boston College women's basketball team won its BIG EAST opener with a 75-36 victory over St. John's in Jamaica, N.Y.

The Eagles' defense held the Red Storm to just 13.0 percent shooting (three-for-23) in the first half. Overall, the Red Storm shot 22.6 percent in the game.

The Eagles were led by freshman Amber Jacobs' 14 points, while juniors Nicole Conway and Rachel Byars each added 10. BC also dominated the Red Storm on the glass, pulling down 53 rebounds to St. John's 31.

St. John's took its only lead on its first basket, 2-0, when Katrina Johns netted a lay-up underneath 1:13 into the game. The Eagles took a quick 5-2 lead on a jumper by Conway and a three-pointer by Jacobs . Rasheedah Brown netted the Red Storm's third and fourth points. After two free throws by Byars, St. John's scored its last points of the half as Latasha Thompson hit a jumper with 12:11 left in the first half. From that point, the Eagles went on a 20-0 run to close the first.

FAIRFIELD 89, BC 84
BC staggers in OT

Fairfield zones in on Eagles
By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff, 12/31/2000

The Boston College women's basketball team hoped to begin its Big East Conference season at St. John's Tuesday feeling confident. But the Eagles are instead in recovery mode after an 89-84 overtime loss to Fairfield yesterday at Conte Forum.

''It's discouraging because, even though Fairfield played a great game, they are not a top 25 team,'' BC guard Amber Jacobs said. ''But you always learn, win or lose. We have to come out and play with intensity, box out every time, and we can't let down on the defensive end. Now, we just have to bounce back.''

BC (6-5) had won three of its last four and defeated Buffalo, 59-41, Thursday in what coach Cathy Inglese called ''our best defensive game of the season.'' But Fairfield (9-2) took command early and withstood a strong BC rally late in regulation, then dominated the overtime.

''We didn't play with an edge and we let them score consistently and get their rhythm,'' Inglese said. ''But Fairfield is a veteran team and all five of their starters can put the ball in the basket. ''I was pleased with the amount of points we scored. We felt confident the openings would be there, but our centers got frustrated. We knew if we were patient the openings would come, and our perimeter players had success, but they closed down the inside.''

Fairfield used an effective zone defense that emphasized the aggressiveness and mobility of its guards to stifle the BC inside game.

''We weren't surprised,'' Fairfield coach Dianne Nolan said. ''We knew BC has a great team, but our players were very confident. We've played teams that allowed us to get ready for competition like this. This was our fourth game against Big East teams and we knew what to expect as far as style of play and intensity. ''We weren't overconfident, but we matched up well with them. There were no mismatches on the court.''

Jacobs sparked the Eagles by scoring 14 of her 29 points in a 7:59 period at the end of regulation and beginning of overtime. Jamie Cournoyer capped a 10-1 run that gave BC the advantage, 72-70, with 2:18 remaining. But Fairfield's Ayanna Brown tied the score 25 seconds later and the Stags never again trailed.

Jacobs's 3-pointer tied the score, 75-75, with eight seconds remaining in regulation. But after Jacobs again tied the score, 79-79, with 2:32 left in overtime, Fairfield scored the next 8 points. Gail Strumpf gave Fairfield an 85-79 lead with 1:22 remaining.

''They are a little down, but they will pick themselves up and learn from this,'' Inglese said. ''We have a young team, but the upperclassmen will let them know that we are a good team and there is a lot of the season left.''

Women's Basketball Falls to Fairfield In Overtime

Jacobs nets 29; two add double-doubles as Eagles lose.
Dec. 30, 2000 CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Senior center Gail Strumpf registered 21 points and eight rebounds -- both team highs -- to lead Fairfield to an 89-84 overtime win over Boston College in a non-league game before a crowd of 1,129 fans in Conte Forum.

The score was tied at 75-75 at the end of regulation play after freshman guard Amber Jacobs hit a three-pointer to tie the game at the end of regualtion. The two teams traded baskets for the first 2:28 of overtime, before Fairfield scored eight consecutive points -- two field goals and four free throws -- to take an 87-79 lead with 45 seconds to play. BC senior Danielle O'Banion answered with a field goal and junior Nicole Conway hit a three-point field goal to pull BC within three points at 87-84, but the visiting Stags hit two free throws to seal the victory.

The Fairfield victory spoiled a career performance by Jacobs . Jacobs netted 29 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field. She also recorded five assists and two steals.

Fairfield (9-2) scored the game's opening basket and led by as many as seven points three times in the first half, before the host Eagles rallied to take a 33-32 lead on a Jamie Cournoyer field goal with 1:50 left in the opening half. The score was tied at 36-36 at the intermission.

After BC (6-5) took a three-point lead -- 41-38 -- with 18:24 remaining, Fairfield used a 13-2 run to take a 51-43 advantage with 15:25 to play. The Stags extended their lead to nine points, before Boston College rallied to even the score. BC tied the game at 70-70 on a Jacobs three-pointer with 2:44 left. Each team hit two field goals, including one three-pointer, in the final minutes to force the extra session.

Boston College's Conway finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for her second point-rebound double-double of the season. Cournoyer finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, her first double-double of the season.

Boston College will next face St. John's in their BIG EAST Conference opener in Jamaica, N.Y. on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

BC - Fairfield Women's Basketball Game Notes

Eagles (6-4) host Stags (8-2) in 4:30 game Saturday.
Dec. 29, 2000

Climbing Jacobs' Scoring Ladder - Freshman Amber Jacobs has continued to out do herself this season. She has set three new career-highs in scoring this season and is looking to continue to reset the mark.

She most recently set the bar at 23 points when she shot nine-for-14 from the floor against Dartmouth. She was named BIG EAST rookie of the week on Dec. 18 for her perfomance against the Big Green.

Before that, she picked the nation's second best team to light up, scoring 16 points on six-for-10 shooting against Tennessee in Knoxville. In just her second collegiate game, she initially set her career high with 14 points on four-for-six shooting (three-for-four from three point range) against Michigan State in the finals of the Chevrolet Classic.

The rookie from Clarks Summit, Pa. has scored in double-figures in eight of 10 games this season and in each of her last five games. Over the recent stretch, she has averaged 16.4 points per contest.

Becky Gottstein Leads Women's Basketball Over Buffalo

Dec. 28, 2000 CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The return of junior Becky Gottstein from injury proved to be one of the differences as the Boston College women's basketball team defeated Buffalo, 59-41, at home tonight. The forward, coming back after missing four games with a broken bone in her right hand, netted a double-double on 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Eagles to the win.

After a scoreless first three minutes of play, the Eagles opened the scoring on a quick 16-4 run. Freshman Amber Jacobs had six points in the span. Buffalo fought back and brought the game within six as it closed out the first half with an 8-3 run. The Eagles held a 23-17 advantage at the intermission. A tight Boston College defense held the Bulls to a 19.2 shooting percentage in the first half, allowing only five-of-26 shots attempted.

The two teams traded baskets to open the second, but Gottstein took the game over and netted 11 of Boston College's first 16 points in the half. During a 9-4 run, she recorded seven of the Eagles' points. Boston College extended the lead to 17 points with 10:29 to play on a Jacobs basket, but the Bulls were able to battle back within nine points with 2:26 left on the clock. The Eagles' closed the game with a 9-2 spurt, capped by a Nicole Conway jumper as the time expired.

Gottstein led all scorers with her 23 points and Jacobs netted 14 in the game. Gottstein's 12 rebounds were also a game-high, followed by Conway's 10. Buffalo was led by Tiffany Bell's 12 points. She was the Bulls' leading rebounder with eight.

Boston College improved its record to 6-4 on the season and will next face Fairfield in the team's last regular-season non-conference game on Saturday, Dec. 30, in a 7 p.m. contest at Conte Forum. Buffalo suffered its second-consecutive loss to a BIG EAST opponent and is now 8-2 on the season.

Women's Basketball Drops Road Game At Kent State

Jacobs leads the Eagles with 19 points; Byars adds a double-double.

Dec. 21, 2000 KENT, Ohio - The Boston College women's basketball team traveled to Kent State with the goal of snapping the Golden Flashes' 34-game home winning streak, but came up just short in a close game, 72-68.

Both teams traded leads to open the game, but the Eagles opened up an eight-point lead, 17-9, as Amber Jacobs hit her eighth point with 13:39 to play in the half. The Golden Flashes battled back to get within two twice in the following minutes, but the Eagles stayed ahead as Jacobs , Rachel Byars and Jamie Cournoyer added points to the score. Kent State used opportune three-point shooting to stay within reach, and four times got within one point, but Maureen Magarity's layup with :07 left in the half gave BC a three-point lead at the intermission.

Jacobs led the Eagles with 19 points. Cournoyer added 12, while Byars had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Women's Hoops Set To Face Kent State

Eagles will look to snap the Golden Flashes' 34-game home winning streak.
Dec. 19, 2000 Boston College enters Thursday's game against Kent State with a 5-3 record after defeating Dartmouth, 84-56, in a non-conference game on Dec. 12. The team opened the season by winning the Chevrolet Classic in East Lansing, Mich. with victories over Tennessee Tech (80-64) and Michigan State (63-61) on Nov. 17-18. The Eagles dropped their home opener against third-ranked Duke, 67-49, to break a 16-game home undefeated streak on Nov. 22. The Eagles posted a 38-point road victory over Holy Cross (95-57) on Nov. 29, before falling to fifth-ranked Purdue, 73-61, at the FleetCenter on Dec. 3 and No. 2 Tennessee, 72-57, in Knoxvile, Tenn. on Dec. 6. The Eagles got back on the winning track with a 70-47 victory over La Salle on Dec. 9. The Eagles are ranked 24th in the latest ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll.

Four Eagles are averaging double figures in scoring, led by Amber Jacobs' 12.3 points per game. Rachel Byars is second with a 11.8 average, followed by Becky Gottstein (11.5) and Janelle McManus (10.5). Byars is the team's leading rebounder with a 7.6 rebounds per game average, while Gottstein has a 6.3 boards per game mark.

Climbing Jacobs' Scoring Ladder Freshman Amber Jacobs has continued to out-do herself this season. She has set three new career-highs in scoring this season and is looking to continue to reset the mark. She most recently set the bar at 23 points when she shot nine-for-14 from the floor against Dartmouth. Before that, she picked the nation's second best team to light up, scoring 16 points on six-for-10 shooting against Tennessee in Knoxville. In just her second collegiate game, she initially set her career high with 14 points on four-for-six shooting (three-for-four from three point range) against Michigan State in the finals of the Chevrolet Classic.

Jacobs Named BIG EAST Rookie Of The Week

Freshman guard nets women's basketball honor for her play against Dartmouth.
Dec. 18, 2000
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Freshman guard Amber Jacobs (Clarks Summit, Pa.) was named BIG EAST Rookie of the Week for women's basketball on Dec. 18. It is her first league honor of the 2000-2001 season.

In the Eagles' lone game last week, Jacobs netted a career-high 23 points on nine-for-14 shooting to lead all scorers against Dartmouth. She also connected on two-of-four three point field goal attempts in the game, while making two steals and adding three assists. She played 38 minutes in the contest.

In eight games this season, Jacobs has averaged 12.3 points per game to lead the Boston College squad. She is ranked 12th in the BIG EAST with a 3.6 assists per game average. Earlier this season, she was named to the all-tournament team at the Chevrolet Classic in East Lansing, Mich. for her play in the Eagles' two games against Tennessee Tech and Michigan State.

Jacobs's honor marks the second-straight week that an Eagle was named Rookie of the Week. On Dec. 11, classmated Janelle McManus received the nod.

Jacobs points Eagles toward a fresh start
By Barbara Huebner, Globe Staff, 12/13/2000

It's a lot to ask of a freshman, any freshman, even one as promising as Amber Jacobs .

Boston College needed Jacobs to step right in and start at shooting guard, replacing the WNBA-drafted Cal Bouchard. No small order. Then, when Brianne Stepherson reinjured her knee, the rookie was moved over to point, neither her natural nor her preferred position.

Until last night, though, she did a good job.

Last night, she did a great job.

''She reads the defense better than any freshman I've ever coached,'' said Cathy Inglese, who has been at this for 15 years. ''I'm not surprised by this.''

Scoring a career-high 23 points, Jacobs lent poise and direction to a scattered Eagle lineup that took advantage of both to finally prevail over Dartmouth, 84-56, before 1,029 at Conte Forum.

BC improved to 5-3, while Dartmouth - Ivy League champion the past two seasons - fell to 1-5.

With the game tied, 37-37, with 14:30 left in the game, the Eagles finally began to shake the stubborn Big Green when Jacobs , averaging 10.7 points per game coming in, connected on a jumper. She went on to score 7 of the Eagles' next 11 points.

''In the second half, coach told us what to do and I tried to do it,'' explained Jacobs , a three-time USA Today honorable mention All-American out of Clarks Summit, Pa.

What coach had told them to do was attack. ''I was saying that for most of the game, but especially at halftime,'' said Inglese. ''I told them we had to attack the inside with cuts and penetration, and that's what the guards did.''

It was up to the guards because the inside game was hampered by Jamie Cournoyer's foul trouble and a rough shooting night for Rachel Byars.

Jacobs's 23 points led all scorers, with four Eagles scoring in double figures. Workhorse Nicole Conway, who played all but one minute, had 19, also a career high; Cournoyer managed 15, all but 1 in the second half; and Byars chipped in 10. Leading Dartmouth with 18 was Katherine Hanks, the only player in double figures for the Big Green.

With starters Stepherson and Becky Gottstein (broken hand) once again in street clothes, BC looked ragged in the opening minutes. The Eagles fell behind, 7-1, while getting virtually no second chances. After missing their first five shots, they finally were bailed out by a 3-pointer from Jacobs's backcourt mate, freshman Alicia Shields, four minutes into the game.

That got their heads into the game, and another 3-pointer, this one by Jacobs , tied the game at 7. But by then Cournoyer was on the bench (''Two silly reaching fouls,'' she explained, annoyed with herself), and the Eagles would struggle inside until she returned in the second half.

At the break, the Eagles led, 33-27. But Dartmouth came out firing, scoring 6 straight points to tie the game, 33-33, with 17:29 left.

Inglese quickly called a timeout to remind her team to attack, and Jacobs finally got them rolling and the Eagles outscored Dartmouth, 30-11, in the final 10 minutes.

No. 24 Women's Hoops Down Dartmouth, 84-56
Dec. 12, 2000

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The 24th-ranked women's basketball team used double-figure scoring from four players to down Dartmouth, 84-56, in a non-league contest at Conte Forum in front of 1,029 fans. Freshman Amber Jacobs pumped in a career-high 23 points on nine-for-14 shooting to lead the Eagles. Junior Nicole Conway also added a career-high 19 points on seven-of-10 shooting, while grabbing a game-high nine rebounds.

Joining Jacobs and Conway in double figures for the Eagles were senior Jamie Cournoyer with 15 (14 in the second half) and junior Rachel Byars with 10. Conway led all rebounders with nine, followed by Byars' eight and Cournoyer's six. Dartmouth was led by Hanks' 16 points and five rebounds.

December 8, 2000
PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Rachel Byars and Janelle McManus scored 16 points apiece to lead a balanced offense that carried No. 21 Boston College to a 70-47 victory over La Salle.

Jamie Cournover and Alicia Shields finished with 11 points apiece for the Eagles (4-3), who opened the second half with a 19-8 run and never looked back.

Amber Jacobs added 10 points, five assists and a pair of steals as Boston College forced 24 turnovers while committing just 10.

The Eagles were coming off back-to-back losses to No. 5 Purdue and No. 2 Tennessee.

Boston College's Mighty Mites finally fall to UT
By Dan Fleser, News-Sentinel sportswriter

December 7, 2000.... Boston College was the little team that almost could topple No. 2 Tennessee on Wednesday night.Led by a pair of mighty-mite freshman guards, the injury-depleted Eagles stymied the bigger, deeper Lady Vols for more than 30 minutes before finally succumbing 72-57.

A Tamika Catchings 3-point goal with 8:55 left broke a 45-45 tie and began Tennessee's finishing scoring kick before a crowd of 6,398 at Thompson-Boling Arena. Catchings finished with a team-high 16 points for the Lady Vols (6-0) Teammate Semeka Randall scored 13.

The Boston College backcourt of Amber Jacobs and Janelle McManus teamed up for the game's most compelling effort. They stand 5-foot-8 and 5-7, respectively, but they played like giants in directing the Eagles' performance.

McManus scored a game-high 18 points. Jacobs' five turnovers weren't as big a factor as her 16 points. "There really isn't any pressure on you; you're a freshman," Jacobs said. "If you make a mistake, you're a freshman."

The poise of these rookies started a domino effect in Tennessee's play. "We couldn't defend their guards, or we didn't," UT coach Pat Summitt said."They executed well."

Wednesday, December 06, 2000, 22:40 ET
No. 2 Lady Vols struggle to subdue Boston College
ELIZABETH A. DAVIS, Associated Press Writer

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Boston College freshmen Janelle McManus and Amber Jacobs were impressed by their first visit to second-ranked Tennessee. They also left an impression on the Lady Vols. Their season highs in scoring helped the Eagles challenge Tennessee, but were not enough for a win. Tamika Catchings scored 16 points and Semeka Randall added 13 for the Lady Vols in a 72-57 win Wednesday night.

"We played the Lady Vols that have won six national championships, but I think Boston College is a great team, too, and we came in and showed them that," said Jacobs , who scored 16 points in 38 minutes.

The Eagles (3-3) lost to a third Top 10 team this season. They were not intimidated and came prepared for Tennessee's uptempo and pressing style. Jacobs and McManus, who came off the bench to score 18 points, broke the press and came away with several easy layups. It forced Tennessee (6-0) to switch to a zone defense. "Prior to this game we played Duke and Purdue. I think that prepared us very well," said McManus, the smallest player on the floor at 5-foot-6. "Games like this, you dream for." It was not the kind of game Tennessee wanted.

"They played on their toes, and our defensive pressure was on our heels," said Kara Lawson, who had 12 points for Tennessee. "I don't know if we needed this game, but we will learn from it."

"I think they were more determined to come in and battle. This game got our attention," Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said.

Women's Basketball Loses To Tennessee

Dec. 6, 2000
By ELIZABETH A. DAVIS
Associated Press Writer

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. The Eagles (3-3), facing a third Top 10 team this season, lost despite a valiant effort from its smaller guards. Janelle McManus scored a career-high 18 points and Amber Jacobs had 16. Boston College's smaller guards weren't intimidated by Tennessee's post players and drove to the basket often. Jacobs and McManus scored 10 points and Jacobs added eight in the first half.

No. 21 Women's Hoops Set For No. 2 Lady Vols

Eagles will face Tennessee in 1999 NCAA Second Round Rematch on Wednesday in Knoxville.
Dec. 4, 2000

Freshman Amber Jacobs has already made her mark on the backcourt. Starting all five of the Eagles' games so far this year, Jacobs is averaging 9.8 points, including a14-point performance in the final of the Chevrolet Classic against Michigan State. She was named to the all-tournament team for her play. She also leads the team with 20 assists for a 4.0 per game average, including a career-high seven assist game against Purdue.

Line Up Shuffling - In five games this season, head coach Cathy Inglese has already used three different starting fives. In the opening game of the season, Rachel Byars, Becky Gottstein, Jamie Cournoyer, Brianne Stepherson and Amber Jacobs started the game. Then, after an ankle sprain sidelined Gottstein, Alicia Shields was inserted as a third guard against Michigan State. Gottstein came back against Duke, but then Stepherson re-injured her right knee and has missed the last two games. Shields has rejoined the starting lineup for the last two games as the shooting guard as Jacobs moved over to the point.

Dec. 2, 2000

No. 19 Women's Hoops Ready For No. 5 Purdue
Two premier women's programs set to tip-off in FleetCenter game.

Freshman Amber Jacobs has already made her mark on the backcourt. Starting all four of the Eagles' games so far this year, Jacobs is averaging 10.3 points, including a14-point performance in the final of the Chevrolet Classic against Michigan State. She was named to the all-tournament team for her play. She also leads the team with 13 assists for a 3.3 average per game average, including a career-high six assist game against Holy Cross.

Nov. 29, 2000
WORCESTER, Mass. (AP)

Women's Basketball Tops Holy Cross, 95-57

Amber Jacobs added 11 points for Boston College (3-1), which clinched the victory with a 17-2 run midway through the game.

Nov. 22, 2000

BOSTON (AP) - Boston College Women's Basketball Falls To No. 3 Duke

The Blue Devils took advantage of an injury and inexperience in the Eagles' backcourt. Early into the game, Boston College starting point guard Brianne Stepherson strained a muscle in her right leg. She was hampered for most of the remainder of the game, forcing BC to rely on two freshman in the backcourt.

"We expected them to be very aggressive on defense," said freshman guard Amber Jacobs , who had to handle most of the point duty when Stepherson was sidelined. She scored 12 points. [Check BC Picture link]

Nov. 18, 2000

EAST LANCING, Mich.-The Boston College women's basketball team used 63 points to Michigan States 61, to defeat the Spartans, tonight, in the championship game of the Chevrolet Classic hosted by MSU in East Lancing Mich.

Amber Jacobs and Janelle McManus scored 14 points apiece for the Eagles (2-0) and combined for seven 3-pointers. BC tied the tournament single-game record with nine 3-pointers and set the two-game tournament record with 15.

MSU Chevrolet Classic All-Tournament Team
Rachel Byars, Boston College (MVP)
Becky Cummings, Michigan State
Vnemina Reese, Michigan State
Amber Jacobs, Boston College
Janet Holt, Tennessee Tech
Jolie McKieman, Arkansas State

Nov. 16, 2000

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Freshman Amber Jacobs has already made her mark on the backcourt. In the team's first exhibition game of the season against the National Women's Basketball League, the Clarks Summit, Penn., native came off the bench to score 10 points and add four assists and five steals. In the second preseason tune-up, she led all scorers with 22 points on nine-for-17 shooting, including four-for-nine from three-point range. She also added five rebounds.

Nov. 12, 2000

Chestnut Hill, Mass. - The Boston College women's basketball team defeated EOS Malbas Sweden 88-64 in their second and last exhibition game of the season, today in Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Leading the Eagles with 22 points, freshman Amber Jacobs also collected five rebounds. BIG EAST second-team honoree, junior Becky Gottstein had a team high of 14 rebounds. After sitting out most of the last game with a sprained ankel, Gottstein netted 16 points in the game.

Nov. 5, 2000

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass.- In their opening exhibition game of the 2000-2001 season, the Boston College women's basketball team defeated the National Women's Basketball League squad 73-48, at Conte Forum.

Leading the Eagles to victory was junior Rachel Byars who earned her first double-double in an Eagle uniform. Last season the forward transferred from Western Kentucky and did not see any action. Leading Boston College in scoring with 17, Byars also collected a team-high of 13 rebounds. Netting 10 points and adding six assists, freshman guard Amber Jacobs came off the bench and was second in scoring in her first collegiate game. Junior guard Brianne Stepherson, seeing her first action since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the spring, also recorded 10 points and added six rebounds for the Eagles.

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