Boston College Women's Basketball Secures First Win Under Kate Popovec-Goss With Rout of UMass-Lowell

Boston College women’s basketball secured its first victory of the season with an 86-57 win over UMass Lowell on Wednesday night.

The 29-point win at Conte Forum marks a significant milestone for the program as it navigates a transitional period under new leadership. Following two opening losses to Holy Cross and Harvard, the Eagles demonstrated a level of cohesion and defensive intensity that had been missing in the early stages of the season, Boston College Athletics reported.

“Obviously to get a first win at BC is incredible,” said Kate Popovec-Goss, the head coach at Boston College. “I’m super proud of my team. I thought we were really steady the whole game. I thought we played together. We were really connected…it’s just a super [and] great victory for us.”

The victory serves as a proof of concept for Popovec-Goss’s coaching philosophy, emphasizing defensive stops and collective effort over individual stardom. While the team has struggled with consistency, the performance against the River Hawks suggested that the recent six-day break allowed for meaningful tactical adjustments.

Women's Basketball: UMass Lowell Postgame Press Conference (Nov. 11, 2026) — Boston College Athletics

A Balanced Offensive Attack

The Eagles overcame a 7-1 early deficit from UMass Lowell by responding with a 16-9 run that established control of the game. This momentum was fueled by efficient ball movement and a balanced scoring distribution that saw nine different players contribute to the total.

Jocelyne Grier led the scoring effort, tying a career-high with 23 points. Her performance was highlighted by four three-pointers in the first half alone. Megan Hollingsworth provided support from the interior, contributing 12 points, while Athena Tomlinson and Daniele Paunksnyte added 10 points each.

“The offensive is very free-flowing,” Grier told Boston College Athletics. “Everybody touches the ball, and no one’s holding onto the ball, so it’s very easy to score. Everybody can score, and I know that Coach Pop believes in me, so when I shoot, I’m confident that I know – like she knows – that it’s going to go in. It’s all just a togetherness thing.”

The depth of the roster was a decisive factor in the rout. While the team is currently operating with a shortened roster, the ability to produce multiple scoring threats prevents opponents from focusing their defensive schemes on a single player.

Player	Points Scored
Jocelyne Grier	23
Megan Hollingsworth	12
Athena Tomlinson	10
Daniele Paunksnyte	10

Defensive Buy-in and Statistical Dominance

Beyond the scoring, the Eagles’ ability to control the glass and limit second-chance opportunities proved vital. Boston College recorded 35 total rebounds, including 15 offensive boards that led to 17 second-chance points. This physical presence helped stifle a UMass Lowell offense that struggled significantly in the second half, shooting just 7-for-25 from the floor.

The defensive improvement was not merely a statistical byproduct but a conscious effort by the players. Popovec-Goss said that the team took ownership of their defensive identity during the halftime interval.

“We had been letting everything come easy for them,” Popovec-Goss said. “Their shot seemed easy, and they seemed very comfortable. So we really challenged our kids. What was great was that I came into [the locker room] at halftime and asked what they discussed, and when I turned around, there was a list on the board. It made my heart really happy because everything was defensive, and I love defense. So I think seeing that buy-in, yes, we’re not perfect and we have a lot of work to do, but to see them buying into the idea that we have to get stops and make things hard for the other team is great.”

The efficiency of the Eagles was also evident in their ball security. While UMass Lowell players like Kayla Solomon and Carla Subirats committed six turnovers each, the Eagles limited their giveaways, with only two players committing more than two turnovers during the contest.

Despite the win, the program must still integrate returning talent like Grace Oliver with emerging contributors like Grier and Hollingsworth. The coaching staff remains focused on the incremental progress required to compete in a demanding schedule.

“As coaches and as players, the messaging today is sometimes so caught up in who we’re trying to be, that we can forget to be where our feet are,” Popovec-Goss said.

“To enjoy the moment and be confident in who we already are, even though we’re trying to improve on that every day, that’s the journey of athletics. This win exemplifies that. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and we’ll address that, but let’s celebrate and enjoy [a win].”

Boston College returns to the court on Saturday when it hosts Providence at 12 p.m.