Saturday, January 4, 2014

Saturday's five-spot: what to watch for

George Mason's Sandra Ngoie (left); Longwood's Heather Tobeck

Five things we're focused on in Saturday's games:

- The 40 club: Liberty will take a 40-game winning streak against Coastal Carolina into battle today when the teams met at the Chanticleers' HTC Center. It's the second-longest active winning streak by one team over another in Division I. Despite the series history, this one doesn't figure to be a gimme as the Chanticleers (8-5, 4-0 Big South) have come together nicely under first-year coach Jaida Williams. By the way, Coastal's last victory over Liberty came on Feb. 19, 1996.

- First team to 40?: Radford ranks 322nd out of 343 Division I teams in scoring offense, while Presbyterian checks in at 340th. So we're not exactly expecting a shootout when the teams square off at Presbyterian. The Highlanders (2-12, 0-5 Big South) will look to bag their first Division I victory.

Ram tough: VCU puts its school-record 12-game winning streak on the line at Duquesne. Read more about the Rams' remarkable play so far here.

- Ms. Consistency: Longwood sophomore Raven Williams averaged 14 points through three games before being sidelined with an injury. Williams returned to action Monday and scored 14 points against Campbell. And on Thursday, she scored 14 points as the Lancers snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 46-43 win over Presbyterian. So we're going out on a limb and putting Williams down for exactly 14 points when the Lancers visit Charleston Southern. And we're writing it down in ink. By the way, welcome back, Daeisha. And hurry back, Khalilah.

- Home sweet home: After a stretch of seven straight road games, George Mason will be playing in its Patriot Center for the first time since Nov. 26 when A-10 foe La Salle comes calling. The Patriots are 4-0 at home; 2-8 on the road.

Saturday's games

Liberty at Coastal Carolina, 2 p.m.

Radford at Presbyterian, 2 p.m.

Longwood at Charleston Southern, 2 p.m.

La Salle at George Mason, 7 p.m.

VCU at Duquesne, 7 p.m.

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