ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — In a season defined by narrow defeats and lopsided losses, the Boston College women’s basketball team found a rare and decisive victory on the road Thursday night. Led by a dominant 27-point performance from Lily Carmody, the Eagles snapped a three-game skid and secured just their fifth win of the season with a 77-59 triumph over SMU at Moody Coliseum.

The game, organized by the Atlantic Coast Conference, saw Boston College improve to 5-24 overall, while SMU fell to 9-18. Despite being projected as significant underdogs by advanced metrics, the Eagles controlled the contest for the final three quarters, turning a tight first half into a comfortable win with a blistering 29-point third quarter.

The most important stretch of the game arrived immediately after halftime. Boston College entered the break with a precarious 26-25 lead after a sluggish first half where both teams struggled offensively. The Eagles shot just 30 percent from the floor in the opening twenty minutes, while SMU was hampered by 12 first-half turnovers.

The third quarter, however, was a dramatic departure. Boston College found its rhythm instantly, erupting for 29 points on efficient shooting. The Eagles opened the period on a 14-7 run, fueled by consecutive three-pointers from Jocelyne Grier and Amirah Anderson. Carmody, who had 11 points by halftime, took over as the primary catalyst, attacking the rim repeatedly. She scored 10 points in the quarter, including a driving layup and a pair of free throws that helped stretch the lead.

SMU, led by Anaya Brown’s 19 points and Ayanna Thompson’s 13, tried to keep pace, scoring 24 points in the third themselves. But every Mustang basket was met with an immediate answer from the Eagles. Boston College’s ball movement improved markedly, leading to open looks, and they capitalized on SMU’s continuing turnover issues. The Eagles scored 12 points off 19 SMU turnovers for the game, a critical disparity.

By the time the fourth quarter began, Boston College held a 55-50 lead and all the momentum. They promptly extinguished any hope of an SMU comeback by holding the Mustangs to just nine points in the final period. The Eagles’ defense tightened, forcing difficult shots and securing defensive rebounds to limit second chances. Meanwhile, Carmody and backcourt mate Erin Houpt, who finished with 14 points, continued to apply offensive pressure, combining for 14 points in the quarter to seal the victory.

Carmody, a 5-foot-11 guard from Melbourne, Australia, was the standout performer, playing 39 minutes and adding three assists and two blocks to her game-high point total. Her effort marked a return to form after being held to six points in the Eagles’ previous outing. Anderson matched Houpt with 14 points for Boston College, and Grier provided a vital spark off the bench with 12 points, including three three-pointers.

For SMU, Brown’s 19 points led the way, while Thompson contributed 13. Grace Hall filled the stat sheet with six points, five assists and three blocks, but the Mustangs were ultimately undone by their ball security and an inability to contain Boston College’s second-half surge. SMU shot just 6 for 12 from the free-throw line and was out-assisted 10-6.

Statistically, Boston College’s efficiency told the story. The Eagles posted an offensive rating of 108.5 points per 100 possessions, significantly outperforming SMU’s mark of 82.3. Despite shooting a lower percentage from three-point range than the Mustangs, Boston College attempted 21 more free throws, making 18, and won the battle on the offensive glass 13-9 to create extra possessions.

The announced attendance was 1,289 at Moody Coliseum. Boston College will look to build on this performance when they return home to host Wake Forest on Sunday. SMU, meanwhile, will continue its homestand against Notre Dame, also on Sunday.