Four teams, four season-opening dominating victories. Cue the highlights:
Radford 74, Emory and Henry 38: Double-doubles by Ayana Avery, Rachael Ross and freshman Kermisha Clark made for a stress-free (relatively speaking) debut for rookie head coach Mike McGuire.
VCU 85, Youngstown State 66: Marketing and promotions are fine. But in racking up 23 steals, scoring 33 points off turnovers and generally running YSU out of its own building, the Rams showed that the best advertisement for their self-described "Fury" style is the product on the court.
Old Dominion 97, Delaware State 67: With contributions coming from throughout the roster, the Lady Monarchs flexed some newfound muscle (32 offensive rebounds?) against the youthful Hornets. Bring on Virginia Tech (Monday night at the Constant Center).
Virginia Tech 84, Howard 32: Six Hokies scored in double figures as Tech racked up its first 50-points-or-more victory since 2004-05. We're coming, Old Dominion.
Player of the Day
Stephanie Gardner, Old Dominion
They call her "SG," but on Saturday at the Constant Center it should have been "HC" - for Heat Check - after she splashed three 3-pointers and racked up 13 points in the opening 4:14 en route to a career-high 21 points. Flashy dunks are fine, but we really get off on watching a player get white-hot from distance and start knocking 'em down. SG was that player Saturday. Plus, she's got the coolest hairstyle in the game.
Special shoutouts
Daisy Alaeze, VCU: Rams "forgotten returner" had 15 points and 7 rebounds at Youngstown State. She's not going to say this, so we will: Yeah, Robyn Parks can ball, Jessica Pellechio can stroke it and there's all these talented newcomers. But hey, guys, that's not all the Rams have.
Ayana Avery, Radford: The Highlanders sophomore seems to enjoy season openers. Last year she debuted with 18 points at Marshall. On Saturday, she drained six treys on her way to a career high-tying 21 points to help the Highlanders separate from Emory and Henry. Oh, and she also hauled down a career-high 11 rebounds - all 5-foot-5 of her.
Hannah Young, Virginia Tech: Last year, the Newcastle, Australia native got a late start on the 2012-13 campaign and endured an up-and-down debut season. But after her 11-point, 11-rebound, 4-assist effort against Howard, it looks like she's got the hang of this Division I business.
Sunday's games
- After an encouraging effort Friday at Georgetown, Kristina King and the Spiders try their luck on the road against another traditional power.
St. Peter's at Hampton, 3 p.m.
- The Lady Pirates have not lost at home since January, 2012 (14 straight home wins, 11-0 last season). A victory would be the 100th for fifth-year Lady Pirates coach David Six (99-30).
George Mason at East Carolina, 6 p.m.
- The Nyla Milleson Era begins on the road for the Patriots. So does the Taylor Brown Era.
Radford is going to have an extremely rough year overall. The mismanagement caused by the previous coaching staff, and a lack of go to players is going to hurt. This is a good opening win though
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