From Canada to the Siegel Center: freshman guard makes immediate impact for the Rams

Yanni Kouiroukidis, Contributing Writer

In basketball, trust among coaches and teammates is a key to player success. Coach Beth O’Boyle’s trust in freshman guard Sarah Te-Biasu is simple: take advantage of being open. 

“If it comes to you, shoot it with confidence and be ready to defend,” O’Boyle told Te-Biasu after a women’s basketball win over Buffalo on Dec. 3. 

Hailing from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Te-Biasu’s contributions are heavy, currently averaging 11.2 points per game while shooting 42% from the field.

Playing on a big stage isn’t anything new for Te-Biasu. She played on the U19 Canadian National Team in 2018 and averaged eight points and four assists during the 2018 U17 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. 

Te-Biasu has scored more than 10 points in four straight games, with three contributing to the wins over conference opponents George Washington and George Mason. 

Not only does she score on the offensive end, but Te-Biasu is a leader on the court among her skill group.

“I think Sarah plays like a veteran point guard,” redshirt-junior guard Madison Hattix-Covington said after the Dec. 3 game against Buffalo. “Coming in as a freshman, point guard is one of the hardest positions to play. Coach gives her something and she goes out there and does it, whether it’s on offense or defense.”

Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19 and living in a different country, Te-Biasu has still found a way to adjust to the changes. 

“My motivation would be my family,” Te-Biasu said. “They are always supporting me even though I’m far away, and they are always calling me, wishing me luck before my games.” 

Te-Biasu has repeatedly shown her heart and passion for the game on the floor, leaving an immediate and beneficial impact on her teammates.

“Sarah brings so much to the game,” O’Boyle said. “She has a high basketball IQ and plays with so much energy when the ball is in her hands.” 

Te-Biasu said her experience playing at the college level is very different from high school.

“In university, girls are a lot stronger compared to high school,” Te-Biasu said. “When you’re playing, you can definitely feel it.” 

Against George Mason on Jan. 29, she got five rebounds on the night — her fifth game with at least five rebounds.

With the pressure of being a starting point guard as a freshman and the constant difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, Te-Biasu turns to meditation to ease her stress.

“I usually meditate before and after my games,” Te-Biasu said. “I also love just talking and laughing with my teammates to not feel stressed.”

In between her pregame meditation, Te-Biasu says she turns to her pregame playlist — highlighted by rappers Roddy Ricch, Lil Baby and Rod Wave — to get her in the zone.

Just a game over .500, the Rams will play four of their last nine games at home after playing nine of their first ten on the road. 

“We want to keep playing our best basketball,” O’Boyle said. “Every game that we play this year, we keep getting really good learning lessons. We try to take each one and get us better for our next game.” 

The Rams host Davidson on Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.