Make no mistake about it, Old Dominion's 70-58 victory over Wofford was a team effort.
We know this because Lady Monarchs coach Karen Barefoot used that phrase about five times in her postgame remarks, and team leader Tia Lewis dropped the T-word three times herself, twice in one sentence.
Fortunately for Lady Monarchs, they could talk this talk because over the preceding two hours, they'd walked the walk with a determined all-for-one performance featuring contributions throughout the roster.
Under the circumstances, the timing for such an effort couldn't have been better. As everyone with even a passing interest knows by now, the Lady Monarchs have struggled out of the blocks this season, and we were concerned that the mounting losses might be having an ill-effect on the team's psyche. After Sunday's 85-69 loss at George Mason - ODU's fourth straight setback - Barefoot said some of the players were getting down on themselves, a dangerous thing given that there were still 21 regular-season games remaining.
Two solid days of practice later, though, the Lady Monarchs performed as though they were riding a six-game winning streak. Not surprisingly, Lewis was the best player on the floor, as she used her experience to avoid forcing things against double-teams, her savvy to get her teammates involved and then her considerable skillz to torch the subsequent single coverage for a career high-tying 27 points. By the way, love the hot pink fingernails.
In addition, Mairi Buchan provided energy and production off the bench and had her best game of the season with 13 points and 9 rebounds. And freshman Myeisha Hall pestered the Terriers at both ends (9 points, 3 steals) in her promising 18-minute stint.
While the stat sheet wasn't as flattering to the other Lady Monarchs, everyone who took the floor had a role in the often-tenacious defensive effort that produced 21 turnovers and continually limited Wofford's options in the halfcourt.
To be fair, Wofford (6-2) isn't going to challenge UConn and Baylor for an NCAA title. But the Terriers are well-coached and good at what they do. Furthermore, they came to the Constant Center with something the Lady Monarchs were still searching for - the confidence that comes with success.
Now, the Lady Monarchs have some of that, too, after putting together a solid win. An encouraging win.
A team win.
In other games Wednesday:
Virginia 64, Liberty 38: Cavaliers defense struck again as Lady Flames (3-5) shot just 27 percent, had 33 turnovers - which led to 32 Virginia points - and became the fifth Virginia opponent to be held to 49 points or less. Devon Brown had 18 points and became the 14th Liberty player to reach 1,000 career points, and Avery Warley added 14. Of course, that means the other eight Lady Flames that saw action combined for just 6 points. But again, Virginia's defense has done this to a lot of teams. China Crosby had 12 points and Chelsea Shine and Ariana Moorer each had 10 for the Cavaliers (8-2), who had 21 assists on 26 field goals.
VCU 62, East Carolina 49: Courtney Hurt scored 21 of her season-high 28 points in the second half and added 12 rebounds as the Rams (5-3) improved to 4-0 in road games this season. Hurt essentially took the game over at the 17:46 mark of the second half by scoring 13 of VCU's next 17 points to expand a three-point lead to a 48-34 advantage. Andrea Barbour added 14 points for the Rams, and a special shoutout to freshman Christina Carter, who had 5 points and 5 assists in 30 minutes as the starting point guard. The Rams played their second straight game without senior Jennifer Lane, who had started all but one game since Day One of her freshman year before sitting out Sunday's contest against Northeastern . Kristine Mial, a junior college All-American who spent her freshman year at James Madison, led ECU with 17 points, and Britny Edwards, formerly of Virginia, had 6 points and 6 assists in 24 minutes off the bench for the Pirates, who had won 12 straight at home.
Wake Forest 90, Radford 67: At least the Highlanders hung around for a while this time. Two games ago, the Radford spotted George Washington a 23-0 lead, and in their previous game the Highlanders fell behind Longwood 15-0. But they only spotted Wake a 6-0 advantage and were down by just 17-13 before things got away. Sarah Tabb scored 14 points on near-perfect shooting (4-of-5 from the field, 4-of-4 from the line) and Da'Naria Erwin Spencer led all Highlanders with 16 points. Of course, offense clearly wasn't Radford's biggest problem Wednesday. Then again, Wake Forest did score 31 points off Radford turnovers.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Hampton rolls on, Norfolk State stumbles
Monday's second round of MEAC play brought one expected result and one mild surprise, at least to us.
Hampton 59, Savannah State 40: As expected, Hampton's ability to stop people easily trumped Savannah State's limited ability to score and the Lady Pirates (6-1, 2-0 MEAC) claimed their fourth straight victory. Choicetta McMillian led the way with 22 points - the fourth time this season she's scored at least 21 and the third time in her last four games - newly crowned MEAC Player of the Week Melanie Warner added 12 points and 8 rebounds and Jericka Jenkins dished out 8 assists. These numbers aside, the fact that Hampton shot just 33 percent is an indication the Lady Pirates' offense still isn't quite clicking, and that's something they'll need to address against more potent foes. But while Savannah State has a pretty good defense itself, unless the Lady Tigers were prepared to hold Hampton to 39 points, the Lady Pirates' subpar shooting percentage wasn't fatal Monday night.
South Carolina State 75, Norfolk State 69: Norfolk State hasn't won consecutive MEAC games since the 2006-07 season, but after the Spartans clipped Savannah State Saturday, it really seemed as though that streak would end tonight. Who knew the Spartans would fall behind 19-2 to start the game? Or get outrebounded 40-29? Or give up 52-percent shooting in the second half? Or send the Lady Bulldogs to the free throw line 38 times? Maybe it was just one of those nights. But the Spartans have proven they have a team capable of finally becoming a factor in the MEAC race, a team capable of a much better performance they it turned in Monday night. In years past, Norfolk State having a 5-3 overall record and a 1-1 mark in conference would be something to celebrate. But given the opportunity the Spartans missed at home against South Carolina State Monday, that record now actually feels a bit disappointing.
Hampton 59, Savannah State 40: As expected, Hampton's ability to stop people easily trumped Savannah State's limited ability to score and the Lady Pirates (6-1, 2-0 MEAC) claimed their fourth straight victory. Choicetta McMillian led the way with 22 points - the fourth time this season she's scored at least 21 and the third time in her last four games - newly crowned MEAC Player of the Week Melanie Warner added 12 points and 8 rebounds and Jericka Jenkins dished out 8 assists. These numbers aside, the fact that Hampton shot just 33 percent is an indication the Lady Pirates' offense still isn't quite clicking, and that's something they'll need to address against more potent foes. But while Savannah State has a pretty good defense itself, unless the Lady Tigers were prepared to hold Hampton to 39 points, the Lady Pirates' subpar shooting percentage wasn't fatal Monday night.
South Carolina State 75, Norfolk State 69: Norfolk State hasn't won consecutive MEAC games since the 2006-07 season, but after the Spartans clipped Savannah State Saturday, it really seemed as though that streak would end tonight. Who knew the Spartans would fall behind 19-2 to start the game? Or get outrebounded 40-29? Or give up 52-percent shooting in the second half? Or send the Lady Bulldogs to the free throw line 38 times? Maybe it was just one of those nights. But the Spartans have proven they have a team capable of finally becoming a factor in the MEAC race, a team capable of a much better performance they it turned in Monday night. In years past, Norfolk State having a 5-3 overall record and a 1-1 mark in conference would be something to celebrate. But given the opportunity the Spartans missed at home against South Carolina State Monday, that record now actually feels a bit disappointing.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Sunday's results: Virginia, George Mason, VCU are winners
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| Taleia Moton, 33 points vs ODU |
Some observations after Sunday's results, which included the opening games in CAA play.
Virginia 69, Richmond 56
*Virginia is the best team in the state.We haven't done state rankings in a while -- our bad -- but while we had VCU as a preseason No.1, the Cavaliers have the consistency and depth we can't find in the Rams. That said, we like this Richmond team, a lot -- young, gritty, with just not quite enough to get past Virginia on Sunday. Free throws had a big impact on this one; Virginia scored 21 points from line to Richmond's 12. We like Abby Oliver more and more with each passing game. Check out her line vs. Virginia: 6-of-16 field, 4-of-9 from 3, 7-of-7 from the line, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 23 points. A little help from her 'mates, and who knows where this Spiders team will be come March. Shout out to Ariana Moorer for a 17-point,7-rebound afternoon.
Towson 65, James Madison 58
*We didn't offer our usual predictions, but had we, we would not have picked this. Is Towson suddenly a concern in the CAA? Keep in mind the Tigers are 5-2 with losses to UConn and Maryland. This is only the second time in 31 meetings that the Tigers have beaten JMU (5-1). Speaking of free throws (see above), that was the difference as the Dukes got 12 points to Towson's 25 from there.This game is a reminder that as good as the Dukes have been, they're still not the veteran group Kenny Brooks has coached of late, and days like this one make for a competitive CAA.
George Mason 85, Old Dominion 69
*The Lady Monarchs might be the worst team in the CAA-- today at least. We're not sure. But their guard play is frightening and they cannot find any sort of scoring consistency except for Tia Lewis. If there's a tendency to blame new coach Karen Barefoot, that's premature. This is a group she inherited that doesn't run very deep. Much of that is about youth. Two sophomores and a freshman are in the starting lineup, and there is no backup at the point for that freshman, Ashley Betz-White, and it will stay that way until Michelle Brandao gets eligible, and at this point we're beginning to wonder. Will that be this season? We like Betz-White and Tiffany Minor has showed promise, but these are freshmen, folks, being asked to do too much too fast.
Another issue: Barefoot's style doesn't play to the strengths of Mairi Buchan, who is getting lost on the stat sheet with too much regularity these days. Ditto for Jo Guilford, and while Jackie Cook had 17 in this one, there are games we can't find her. ODU has a much-needed home stand coming up against winnable opponents (though North Carolina A&T is far from a gimme). This schedule, which Barefoot didn't design, has been nothing short of brutal with road trip on top of road trip and another coming up in a few weeks to another place this young team doesn't need to be: Knoxville. But here is our concern about ODU at this point. Where are the wins going to come from in the CAA? We don't doubt the Lady Monarchs are capable of an upset -- but would you pick them against JMU, Hofstra, Delaware, Drexel, VCU? We're not so sure Towson and W&M are going to be any less imposing, either. This young team has a long season ahead, and we're hoping by March will have the experience to make some noise in the conference it once owned. Until then, it's going to be bumpy.
*As for the Patriots, how good must it feel to knock around ODU in your own gym? Mason (6-1) had only ever beaten ODU once in 50 tries prior to Sunday, and that was a fluky game when the Lady Monarchs seemed stunned by Tiffany Green's game time decision not to play. If the CAA ended today instead of just began, Taleia Moton would be on the first team after a career-high 33. And yes, this is her third consecutive game scoring 30 or more.
Delaware 73, William and Mary 57
*We were high on this Delaware team before anyone else, though we hardly see that as reason we should be headed to Vegas. Behind a healthy Elena Delle Donne, we're confident this team is top 15 in the nation. EDD had 23 against W&M with 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks. We love the Tribe as they are one of our teams, but we're also happy for Tina Martin, whose group is off to its best start (6-0) in the 41-year history of the program.
VCU 67, Northeastern 60
*VCU is hard to figure. This one was far closer than we figured, but that happens when you let your opponent shoot 42 percent. There are going to be nights when Courtney Hurt and Andrea Barbour (who combined for 42 points in this one) are going to be enough. It's those other nights that worry us.
Friday, December 2, 2011
RANDOMNESS with Norfolk State's Rachel Gordon
We're back with RANDOMNESS, and our willing participant is Norfolk State sophomore forward Rachel Gordon. You know the drill. We ask a bunch of random questions; she provides the pointed answers. A little background: Her full name is Cherise Rachel Gordon and parents Cherise and Jeff Gordon are both NSU alums (Mom was a cheerleader). Rachel is averaging a team-best 11 rebounds and 12.5 points.Favorite holiday: I like Christmas
Whatcha want? Ugg boots.
You just had a birthday (Nov. 18). Favorite gift? Money. I usually spend it all pretty fast.
When you're not playing ball.... I like shopping.
Favorite store? PacSun
You a shoe horde? I love shoes.
Favorite pair? Converse. I like the low tops.
Favorite place you've visited? I lived in Colorado for a while and that was my favorite place.Colorado Springs. I was a military brat.
Favorite movie? "The Sound of Music"
And song? Any Gwen Stefani song
People would be surprised to know ...I'm afraid of the dark. I'm a scaredy cat. I have a night light.
Collect anything? At my grandma's house, I collect really nice Barbie dolls.
Have you wanted to dunk? Always. They tell me they want me to dunk. I really want to before I graduate.
Who do you like to watch? Lebron ... I really like watching Maya Moore play.
Your signature shot? The stepaway jumper
Team you've always wanted to play? UConn, just to see how we would do.
Best hangout at NSU? The student center. Good food and there's a deejay on Fridays.
Best imitator of Coach Clarke on the team? Rae Corbo or Recca Trice.
What is Coach always saying? Good glory greens or God bless America when she's mad.
Your major? Psychology
What will you do? Either be a child psychologist or a sports psychologist
Other talents? I used to play the violin. My teammates say I can sing well.
What do you sing in the shower? Rock to rap. Gwen Stefani.
Favorite food? Mashed potatoes.
Why do they call you Biggie? In high school, I was always the tallest person on the team, so they called me Biggie.
Favorite web page (besides LadySwish): Twitter. I'm a Twitter girl.
Goal at NSU? I really want us to make a big impact in the MEAC championship-- do something we haven't done in a long time.I know we can.
Stressed out from ballin'? Cuddle a puppy
Virginia, George Mason, JMU claim victories
Thursday's results:
Click here for more on Thursday's Richmond-VCU thriller.
Virginia 65, Indiana 49: Weird game. The Cavaliers led 25-9 late in the first half, but the Hoosiers closed with a 13-0 run and pulled even at 27 early in the second half before Virginia separated again. Ataira Franklin had a season-high 16 points and Ariana Moorer added 13, but as has often been the case, Virginia's offense was at times ragged and mistake-prone. Fortunately, for the fifth time this season, the Cavs (6-2) held an opponent to 49 points or less. Defense wins games, right?
Love how Virginia includes a page of quotes with the home game stories. Definitely worth wading through.
The ACC and Big Ten split in the overall ACC/Big Ten Challenge standings with each league getting 6 victories. Along with Virginia, the ACC's other winners were Maryland (74-65 over Michigan), Georgia Tech (73-55 over Nebraska), Duke (64-55 over Purdue), Miami (76-60 over Michigan State) and Wake Forest (82-65 over Minnesota).
James Madison 62, Liberty 58: Boston College transfer Jasmine Gill picked a good night to have her breakout game with the Dukes. On a night when the Dukes were apparently feeling the effects of not having a game since Nov. 20, Gill put JMU on her back with a career-high tying 24 points. Tarik Hislop added 20 and the Dukes held on to remain undefeated (5-0) while improving to 3-0 in road games.
As the score suggests, Liberty (2-4) acquitted itself well in defeat. Avery Warley had 18 points and Devon Brown, playing her first game since the death of her mother, Jennifer Brown, on Nov. 22, added 13 points and is now just 7 shy of 1,000 for her career. But Lady Flames coach Carey Green estimated that Liberty missed about 20 layups (some contested).
George Mason 55, American 52: Red-hot Taleia Moton lit up the Minutewomen for a career-high 32 points, the third time in four games the redshirt junior has scored at least 30. And this was a night in which the Patriots needed Moton to get hers as star forward Amber Easter sat out after apparently sustaining an injury in the Patriots victory over UNC Asheville last week. Easter's absence didn't appear to have a negative effect on Mason's defense, though, as the Patriots were as stingy as usual in holding UMass to 36 percent shooting.
The Patriots(5-1) have now won five straight and are looking forward to Sunday's CAA opener at home against long-time nemesis Old Dominion. "We owe them one," Moton said in a video posted on the team's website. "And we're going to show them that on Sunday."
Click here for more on Thursday's Richmond-VCU thriller.
Virginia 65, Indiana 49: Weird game. The Cavaliers led 25-9 late in the first half, but the Hoosiers closed with a 13-0 run and pulled even at 27 early in the second half before Virginia separated again. Ataira Franklin had a season-high 16 points and Ariana Moorer added 13, but as has often been the case, Virginia's offense was at times ragged and mistake-prone. Fortunately, for the fifth time this season, the Cavs (6-2) held an opponent to 49 points or less. Defense wins games, right?
Love how Virginia includes a page of quotes with the home game stories. Definitely worth wading through.
The ACC and Big Ten split in the overall ACC/Big Ten Challenge standings with each league getting 6 victories. Along with Virginia, the ACC's other winners were Maryland (74-65 over Michigan), Georgia Tech (73-55 over Nebraska), Duke (64-55 over Purdue), Miami (76-60 over Michigan State) and Wake Forest (82-65 over Minnesota).
James Madison 62, Liberty 58: Boston College transfer Jasmine Gill picked a good night to have her breakout game with the Dukes. On a night when the Dukes were apparently feeling the effects of not having a game since Nov. 20, Gill put JMU on her back with a career-high tying 24 points. Tarik Hislop added 20 and the Dukes held on to remain undefeated (5-0) while improving to 3-0 in road games.
As the score suggests, Liberty (2-4) acquitted itself well in defeat. Avery Warley had 18 points and Devon Brown, playing her first game since the death of her mother, Jennifer Brown, on Nov. 22, added 13 points and is now just 7 shy of 1,000 for her career. But Lady Flames coach Carey Green estimated that Liberty missed about 20 layups (some contested).
George Mason 55, American 52: Red-hot Taleia Moton lit up the Minutewomen for a career-high 32 points, the third time in four games the redshirt junior has scored at least 30. And this was a night in which the Patriots needed Moton to get hers as star forward Amber Easter sat out after apparently sustaining an injury in the Patriots victory over UNC Asheville last week. Easter's absence didn't appear to have a negative effect on Mason's defense, though, as the Patriots were as stingy as usual in holding UMass to 36 percent shooting.
The Patriots(5-1) have now won five straight and are looking forward to Sunday's CAA opener at home against long-time nemesis Old Dominion. "We owe them one," Moton said in a video posted on the team's website. "And we're going to show them that on Sunday."
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Richmond survives VCU in 78-77 thriller
Richmond 78, VCU 77: If the Spiders and Rams played all their games like this, Richmond coach Michael Shafer's dark hair would be milk white by season's end - if he hadn't pulled it all out - and Rams coach Beth Cunningham would wind up with more wrinkles than a California raisin. But basketball fans would be thrilled as this was terrific stuff from both sides. The Rams led by eight with less than five minutes to play, but an Abby Oliver jumper ignited a 9-0 run capped by a Kerri Soppe 3-pointer with 2:21 left that put the Spiders in front 74-73. A pair of Andrea Barbour free throws nudged the Rams back in front, but Oliver initiated the game's 17th and final lead change with four consecutive points. The drama was far from over, though. A Courtney Hurt layup with 44 seconds to go got the Rams to within a point, and a Richmond turnover gave VCU one final chance. But Barbour's jumper, Hurt's follow and Barbour's follow of the follow all failed to connect and the Spiders survived for their fourth straight win the series.
So many standout performers. For Richmond (6-1), Oliver was brilliant in the first half (15 of her 21 points), and after being shut down for most of the second, emerged as the closer down the stretch. Sophomore Gen Okoro delivered the finest effort of her young career with a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double. Rachael Bilney shook off a minor (we hope) knee ailment to add 10 points. Soppe, a freshman point guard, came off the bench to nail hit the big 3-pointer and displayed poise in the hectic final minutes. And while this was hardly a surprise, a Richmond team that leads Division I in free throw shooting was a splendid 22 of 25 (88 percent) from the line.
Meanwhile, the Rams (3-3), who had been stymied by Richmond's defense in the prior three meetings, nearly matched the Spiders basket for basket this time. Hurt had 25 points and 10 boards. Barbour chimed in with 23 points, 18 in the second half, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Freshman Aprill McRae continued her emergence with a season-high 13 points and 7 boards. Robyn Parks added 12 points. That's four double-digit scorers, an ominous thought for VCU''s future opponents.
Remarkably, it wasn't quite enough Thursday night. The Rams are probably kicking themselves for letting that late eight-point lead slip away, and Cunningham bemoaned her team's failure to do "the little things" that might have sealed this deal. Still, if one of those last-second shots go down - and we're not quite sure how Hurt's attempt didn't fall - it's the Spiders fretting about a tough loss.
Sadly, only 478 fans turned out at the Siegel Center to see it all. Their loss. Because on this night, Richmond and VCU put on one heck of a show.
So many standout performers. For Richmond (6-1), Oliver was brilliant in the first half (15 of her 21 points), and after being shut down for most of the second, emerged as the closer down the stretch. Sophomore Gen Okoro delivered the finest effort of her young career with a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double. Rachael Bilney shook off a minor (we hope) knee ailment to add 10 points. Soppe, a freshman point guard, came off the bench to nail hit the big 3-pointer and displayed poise in the hectic final minutes. And while this was hardly a surprise, a Richmond team that leads Division I in free throw shooting was a splendid 22 of 25 (88 percent) from the line.
Meanwhile, the Rams (3-3), who had been stymied by Richmond's defense in the prior three meetings, nearly matched the Spiders basket for basket this time. Hurt had 25 points and 10 boards. Barbour chimed in with 23 points, 18 in the second half, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Freshman Aprill McRae continued her emergence with a season-high 13 points and 7 boards. Robyn Parks added 12 points. That's four double-digit scorers, an ominous thought for VCU''s future opponents.
Remarkably, it wasn't quite enough Thursday night. The Rams are probably kicking themselves for letting that late eight-point lead slip away, and Cunningham bemoaned her team's failure to do "the little things" that might have sealed this deal. Still, if one of those last-second shots go down - and we're not quite sure how Hurt's attempt didn't fall - it's the Spiders fretting about a tough loss.
Sadly, only 478 fans turned out at the Siegel Center to see it all. Their loss. Because on this night, Richmond and VCU put on one heck of a show.
The first of many for Old Dominion's Karen Barefoot
Old Dominion's Karen Barefoot earned her first win as coach of the Lady Monarchs at the Paradise Jam in the Virginia Islands when ODU nipped Alabama 77-76.
Overall, Barefoot has 210 coaching victories in her career. We know they'll be many more to come!
JMU visits Liberty; Virginia, George Mason also in action
Quick hits on Thursday's games:
Indiana (2-3) at Virginia (5-2), Big Ten/ACC Challenge, 7 p.m.
The Cavaliers offense continues to be a work in progress, but we think Indiana will have an even bigger problem finding ways to score against a typically stingy Virginia defense. The ACC is counting on the Cavaliers to come through in this one. We don't think they'll let the league down. Virginia 68, Indiana 54
The Cavaliers offense continues to be a work in progress, but we think Indiana will have an even bigger problem finding ways to score against a typically stingy Virginia defense. The ACC is counting on the Cavaliers to come through in this one. We don't think they'll let the league down. Virginia 68, Indiana 54
James Madison (4-0) at Liberty (3-3), 7 p.m.
First, a Devon Brown update. In a video on the Liberty website, coach Carey Green said that Brown, the Liberty star whose mother passed away last week, returned to school Tuesday night and will be available to play in tonight's game. Green indicated he will be in play-it-by-ear mode concerning how much Brown plays. Game pits two of the nation's top rebounding teams so far. The Lady Flames are always near the top of this list, but the Dukes are a somewhat surprising plus-11 on the boards so far (20th out of 336 Division I teams when the week began). Our sense is that this won't be a particularly aesthetically pleasing game and that the Dukes' superior athleticism will eventually carry the day. But the Lady Flames won't make things easy, particularly if can get something from Brown. JMU 64, Liberty 55
First, a Devon Brown update. In a video on the Liberty website, coach Carey Green said that Brown, the Liberty star whose mother passed away last week, returned to school Tuesday night and will be available to play in tonight's game. Green indicated he will be in play-it-by-ear mode concerning how much Brown plays. Game pits two of the nation's top rebounding teams so far. The Lady Flames are always near the top of this list, but the Dukes are a somewhat surprising plus-11 on the boards so far (20th out of 336 Division I teams when the week began). Our sense is that this won't be a particularly aesthetically pleasing game and that the Dukes' superior athleticism will eventually carry the day. But the Lady Flames won't make things easy, particularly if can get something from Brown. JMU 64, Liberty 55
UMass (1-5) at George Mason (4-1), 7 p.m.
The Patriots have quietly fashioned a four-game winning streak thanks to a suffocating defense that ranks first in the CAA in fewest points allowed (54.6). In addition, senior guard Taleia Moton (21.3 ppg) has injected her name into the early CAA Player of the Year discussion - at least the one we have from time to time - by scoring 30 points in two of her last three games. It all seems like too much for the rebuilding Minutewomen. But if you happen to be at the game, say hello to UMass guard and former Old Dominion performer Carolann Cloutier for us. George Mason 59, UMass 51
Click here for more on Thursday's Richmond-VCU game.
The Patriots have quietly fashioned a four-game winning streak thanks to a suffocating defense that ranks first in the CAA in fewest points allowed (54.6). In addition, senior guard Taleia Moton (21.3 ppg) has injected her name into the early CAA Player of the Year discussion - at least the one we have from time to time - by scoring 30 points in two of her last three games. It all seems like too much for the rebuilding Minutewomen. But if you happen to be at the game, say hello to UMass guard and former Old Dominion performer Carolann Cloutier for us. George Mason 59, UMass 51
Click here for more on Thursday's Richmond-VCU game.
Richmond-VCU: It's your move, Rams
The headline on Richmond's preview story about tonight's game at VCU reads, "Spiders Look For Continued Dominance Over Rams."
If I was a Ram, that would tick me off. Problem is, the Spiders have a point - they have dominated this series of late. They've won three straight meetings, including a comfortable 15-point edge a year ago and a 14-point triumph the year before that, in VCU's own gym.
Can the Rams reverse the trend? We'll see. But before you settle in to watch the latest installment in this "Battle of Richmond," here are 25 things to consider:
- Not only have the Spiders (5-1) won three straight against VCU, they've also taken 10 of the last 12 meetings.
- The Rams' only verbal comeback, albeit somewhat feeble, is "Yeah, but at least we've won more career meetings."
- But if they lose tonight, they won't even be able to say that - the series will be tied 33-33.
- No current Ram has played in a victory over the Spiders.
- No current Spider has played in a loss to the Rams.
- Spiders star Abby Oliver in particular has been a Rams nemesis. She torched VCU for 22 points in last season's 68-53 victory, and scored 15 points off the bench in Richmond's 66-52 triumph in 2009.
- In three games against the Rams, Oliver is shooting 65 percent from the field (13 of 20), 75 percent from 3-point range (6 of 8) and 81.8 percent from the free throw line (9 of 11).
- Speaking of free throw shooting, the Spiders began the week ranked No. 1 in Division I at the line and are currently knocking down freebies at an 82.3 percent clip.
- Credit for this starts with the players themselves, of course. But it also looks as though that promotion for Spiders assistant Ginny Doyle is already paying dividends.
- Back to Oliver - you can read more about the Spiders' lone senior in today's Richmond Times-Dispatch. Also, if you haven't read our interview with Oliver (what's up with that?), check it out here.
- Richmond's last win at VCU, in 2009, came at a time when the Rams never lost at home (loss snapped a 19-game home winning streak).
- This game comes at a time when VCU (3-2) has yet to win at home (0-2 at the Siegel Center).
- The Rams last three wins in this series have come at home.
- VCU's most recent victory came on Dec. 5, 2007, a 60-51 decision.
- The Rams shot 40.0 percent in that game.
- In the three games against Richmond since, VCU shooting percentages are 31, 33.9 and 30.3 percent.
- VCU is shooting 40.8 percent from the field so far this season.
- VCU star Courtney Hurt provided the lone bright spot for the Rams in last year's meeting with Richmond as she finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
- Hurt wasn't a particularly efficient scorer on the night, though, as she needed 27 shots to get those 24 points (10 of 27).
- No other Ram scored more than 7 points.
- Current VCU co-star Andrea Barbour (16.6 ppg) did not play in that game and has never faced the Spiders.
- The Spiders are 2-0 this season against teams from the CAA.
- The Rams are 0-1 this season against teams from the Atlantic 10.
- If VCU came come up with answers for Richmond's defense and Oliver's shooting, this could be the year for some Rams payback.
- But until we actually see those answers, we're saying...Richmond 65, VCU 55.
If I was a Ram, that would tick me off. Problem is, the Spiders have a point - they have dominated this series of late. They've won three straight meetings, including a comfortable 15-point edge a year ago and a 14-point triumph the year before that, in VCU's own gym.
Can the Rams reverse the trend? We'll see. But before you settle in to watch the latest installment in this "Battle of Richmond," here are 25 things to consider:
- Not only have the Spiders (5-1) won three straight against VCU, they've also taken 10 of the last 12 meetings.
- The Rams' only verbal comeback, albeit somewhat feeble, is "Yeah, but at least we've won more career meetings."
- But if they lose tonight, they won't even be able to say that - the series will be tied 33-33.
- No current Ram has played in a victory over the Spiders.
- No current Spider has played in a loss to the Rams.
- Spiders star Abby Oliver in particular has been a Rams nemesis. She torched VCU for 22 points in last season's 68-53 victory, and scored 15 points off the bench in Richmond's 66-52 triumph in 2009.
- In three games against the Rams, Oliver is shooting 65 percent from the field (13 of 20), 75 percent from 3-point range (6 of 8) and 81.8 percent from the free throw line (9 of 11).
- Speaking of free throw shooting, the Spiders began the week ranked No. 1 in Division I at the line and are currently knocking down freebies at an 82.3 percent clip.
- Credit for this starts with the players themselves, of course. But it also looks as though that promotion for Spiders assistant Ginny Doyle is already paying dividends.
- Back to Oliver - you can read more about the Spiders' lone senior in today's Richmond Times-Dispatch. Also, if you haven't read our interview with Oliver (what's up with that?), check it out here.
- Richmond's last win at VCU, in 2009, came at a time when the Rams never lost at home (loss snapped a 19-game home winning streak).
- This game comes at a time when VCU (3-2) has yet to win at home (0-2 at the Siegel Center).
- The Rams last three wins in this series have come at home.
- VCU's most recent victory came on Dec. 5, 2007, a 60-51 decision.
- The Rams shot 40.0 percent in that game.
- In the three games against Richmond since, VCU shooting percentages are 31, 33.9 and 30.3 percent.
- VCU is shooting 40.8 percent from the field so far this season.
- VCU star Courtney Hurt provided the lone bright spot for the Rams in last year's meeting with Richmond as she finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
- Hurt wasn't a particularly efficient scorer on the night, though, as she needed 27 shots to get those 24 points (10 of 27).
- No other Ram scored more than 7 points.
- Current VCU co-star Andrea Barbour (16.6 ppg) did not play in that game and has never faced the Spiders.
- The Spiders are 2-0 this season against teams from the CAA.
- The Rams are 0-1 this season against teams from the Atlantic 10.
- If VCU came come up with answers for Richmond's defense and Oliver's shooting, this could be the year for some Rams payback.
- But until we actually see those answers, we're saying...Richmond 65, VCU 55.
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