Having already secured a potent 2012 recruiting haul, Virginia received some great news regarding its 2013 class Sunday when Forest Park junior point guard Breyana Mason gave the Cavaliers a verbal commitment. Mason is ranked No. 44 in ESPN's Super 60 rankings of 2013 prospects. A long-time member of the Fairfax Stars, Mason helped her AAU team win the 2011 Nike Summer Showcase in Chicago last summer and reach the title game of the Nike Nationals Invitational Tournament.
On Saturday, Mason scored a tournament-record 39 points to lead Forest Park over St. Anthony's (N.Y.) 72-63 in the Tina Thompson She Got Game Classic.
"Breyana is an unselfish point guard, incredible teammate and an absolute pleasure to coach," Forest Park coach Rebecca Tillett told ESPN. "She is a student of the game, and maintains over a 4.0 GPA. UVa's rigorous academics will be a great match. Coach (Joanne) Boyle and her staff's recruitment of her was top-notch from start to finish. Breyana is a competitor who has a solid frame and the ability to defend and score with the great guards in the ACC."
The Cavaliers will have no shortage of lead guards in the future, as they inked two - Faith Randolph and Jaryn Garner - in their 2012 class. Shooting guard Raeshaun Gaffney is also headed to Virginia to round out a recruiting class ESPN pegged as the 25th-best in the country.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Virginia romps; JMU, ODU, VCU also winners
Sunday's results:
James Madison 71, Central Connecticut 64
Nikki Newman only played 24 minutes, but that was enough time to secure her first double-double (a career-tying 10 points and 10 rebounds) to lead the Dukes (7-1) to their 15th straight home victory. "For us to be effective this year, she just has to bring it," said Dukes coach Kenny Brooks, and we couldn't agree more. Lauren Whitehurst's 17 made it a good day for JMU in the low post, but they weren't too shabby on the perimeter, either with 16 apiece from Kirby Burkholder and Tarik Hislop. As much as we like Brooks, we weren't that thrilled that he delighted in the Redskins beating the Giants only, we assume, because of what it meant for the Cowboys. "Sweet," he said upon hearing the score. "This is the first time in my life I've ever rooted for the Redskins." ...Brooks did give his team credit for winning what he called "the hardest game of the year. Their brain are fried," he said, noting that JMU is coming off exams. As for the 'Skins, we hope they beat the Giants and Dallas every time.
VCU 74, Coppin State 66
You'd like to see the Rams cruise in a game like this, especially given the 52-31 advantage they had on the boards. VCU (6-3) held an 18-point advantage with 5:35 to go, but the Eagles pulled within 72-64 with 1:21 left. But Courtney Hurt, who shot 60-percent from the field, continued to inflict pain, restoring VCU's lead to 10 on the ensuing possession. Hurt finished with 30 and Andrea Barbour, off the bench, scored 12 with 11 rebounds. Jennifer Lane still MIA for the Rams (6-3).
Old Dominion 71, North Carolina A&T 58
We thought the Lady Monarchs (3-8) might have a few more problems with these Aggies, and indeed a 23-point lead did wither down to 10 late in the second half. But for most of the afternoon, ODU pressed and turned over NC A&T, forcing the Aggies to put up the kind of rushed shots that resulted in a 31 percent effort from the floor. ODU, meanwhile, got off to a fast start behind Tia Lewis (24 points, 13 rebounds) and Ashley Betz-White (11 points, 5 assists). We also single out the line from Jackie Cook (8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks). ODU played with the type of relentless on defense that was reminiscent of the teams of old. The question remains, can they do it in a CAA that is ranked seventh in the RPI?
Virginia 92, Radford 43
Somebody turned on the jets and the Cavalier offense poured out with 55 bench points, including Lexie Gerson's 19, Jazmin Pitts' 16 on 8-of-8 shooting and Telia McCall's 13. Noted Gerson, who didn't seem terribly stressed post finals, "It's amazing. We had 10 days to prepare. I personally had five days where I didn't have finals. I was getting in the gym a lot and having fun. It was really awesome to get out there again." The victory improved Virginia's record to 9-2, the program's best start since beginning the 2008-09 season. Juicy matchup awaits the Cavs on Tuesday night when JMU comes to town.
Central Florida 41, Virginia Tech 32
No, this isn't a halftime score; that was 17-13 in favor of the Knights (5-5). Neither team was exactly Aaron Rogers on offense as combined they shot 47 percent. The Hokies led 4-2 --- midway through the half. The Knights were up 36-21 with 5:36 on the clock. Tech went on a late run, cutting the Knights’ lead down to eight (38-30) with just under a minute to go, but UCF’s Andrea Hines went 3-of-4 from the free throw line in the final minute to help secure the ugly win, which coaches assure us is better than a pretty loss. It was a particularly tough game for Monet Tellier (no points, no assists, 3 turnovers). We doubt either team will be anxious to view this film any time soon.
Wright State 77, Longwood 44
Hard to find a highlight in here for the Lancers, who shot 23. percent (13-55) from the floor, including 18.2 percent (2-11) from behind the arc. Longwood didn't have a field goal in the final 9:48 of the first half and were outscored 20-3.
James Madison 71, Central Connecticut 64
Nikki Newman only played 24 minutes, but that was enough time to secure her first double-double (a career-tying 10 points and 10 rebounds) to lead the Dukes (7-1) to their 15th straight home victory. "For us to be effective this year, she just has to bring it," said Dukes coach Kenny Brooks, and we couldn't agree more. Lauren Whitehurst's 17 made it a good day for JMU in the low post, but they weren't too shabby on the perimeter, either with 16 apiece from Kirby Burkholder and Tarik Hislop. As much as we like Brooks, we weren't that thrilled that he delighted in the Redskins beating the Giants only, we assume, because of what it meant for the Cowboys. "Sweet," he said upon hearing the score. "This is the first time in my life I've ever rooted for the Redskins." ...Brooks did give his team credit for winning what he called "the hardest game of the year. Their brain are fried," he said, noting that JMU is coming off exams. As for the 'Skins, we hope they beat the Giants and Dallas every time.
VCU 74, Coppin State 66
You'd like to see the Rams cruise in a game like this, especially given the 52-31 advantage they had on the boards. VCU (6-3) held an 18-point advantage with 5:35 to go, but the Eagles pulled within 72-64 with 1:21 left. But Courtney Hurt, who shot 60-percent from the field, continued to inflict pain, restoring VCU's lead to 10 on the ensuing possession. Hurt finished with 30 and Andrea Barbour, off the bench, scored 12 with 11 rebounds. Jennifer Lane still MIA for the Rams (6-3).
Old Dominion 71, North Carolina A&T 58
We thought the Lady Monarchs (3-8) might have a few more problems with these Aggies, and indeed a 23-point lead did wither down to 10 late in the second half. But for most of the afternoon, ODU pressed and turned over NC A&T, forcing the Aggies to put up the kind of rushed shots that resulted in a 31 percent effort from the floor. ODU, meanwhile, got off to a fast start behind Tia Lewis (24 points, 13 rebounds) and Ashley Betz-White (11 points, 5 assists). We also single out the line from Jackie Cook (8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks). ODU played with the type of relentless on defense that was reminiscent of the teams of old. The question remains, can they do it in a CAA that is ranked seventh in the RPI?
Virginia 92, Radford 43
Somebody turned on the jets and the Cavalier offense poured out with 55 bench points, including Lexie Gerson's 19, Jazmin Pitts' 16 on 8-of-8 shooting and Telia McCall's 13. Noted Gerson, who didn't seem terribly stressed post finals, "It's amazing. We had 10 days to prepare. I personally had five days where I didn't have finals. I was getting in the gym a lot and having fun. It was really awesome to get out there again." The victory improved Virginia's record to 9-2, the program's best start since beginning the 2008-09 season. Juicy matchup awaits the Cavs on Tuesday night when JMU comes to town.
Central Florida 41, Virginia Tech 32
No, this isn't a halftime score; that was 17-13 in favor of the Knights (5-5). Neither team was exactly Aaron Rogers on offense as combined they shot 47 percent. The Hokies led 4-2 --- midway through the half. The Knights were up 36-21 with 5:36 on the clock. Tech went on a late run, cutting the Knights’ lead down to eight (38-30) with just under a minute to go, but UCF’s Andrea Hines went 3-of-4 from the free throw line in the final minute to help secure the ugly win, which coaches assure us is better than a pretty loss. It was a particularly tough game for Monet Tellier (no points, no assists, 3 turnovers). We doubt either team will be anxious to view this film any time soon.
Wright State 77, Longwood 44
Hard to find a highlight in here for the Lancers, who shot 23. percent (13-55) from the floor, including 18.2 percent (2-11) from behind the arc. Longwood didn't have a field goal in the final 9:48 of the first half and were outscored 20-3.
Holiday Gift Guide: Hoofin' it like Diana
On the 7th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me.....
We wish there was a Ticha Penicheiro shoe. Or a Dawn Evans one or one for JenDev, but WBB fans are severely limited in their choices. Maybe you're tired of UConn and frankly, we get a bit frustrated with how much ESPN gushes over the program. Still, that won't keep us from tuning into No. 1 Baylor vs. No. 2 UConn at 8:30 pm tonight, on, you guessed it, ESPN.
But we digress. We offer shoes as today's holiday gift ($59.95 on Amazon but you can find them cheaper on ebay), and no, we don't mean Uggs again. Check out the the Nike Air Taurasi,which features full lace up construction for a secure, personalized fit.Full length polyurethane midsole for lightweight cushioning. Zoom Air Unit in the heel absorbs shock and provides great energy return. Go for the hoops like Diana would, in a pair of Air Taurasi basketball shoes from Nike.
Even if you're not actually playing the game, at least you can walk to the game without your feet hurting you. And for the record, we give a slight edge to Baylor given the game is in Waco.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
With exams over, let the games resume
Sunday's previews:
Central Connecticut State (6-2) at James Madison (6-1), 1 p.m.
The Dukes are riding a 14-game home winning streak but are playing at the Convocation Center for just the third time this season and first in nearly a month (Nov. 20). The Blue Devils' record is even more impressive when you consider that they had to replace all five starters from last year's 19-11 WNIT team. JMU guards attacking the rim need to be mindful of CCSU's 6-3 junior center Kirsten Daamen, who blocked 7 shots last Saturday against Siena and began the week ranked 10th in Division I in rejections. We were so busy marveling at the early scoring prowess of Kirby Burkholder - and the extra attention she's been drawing recently - that we failed to realize she's currently the team's leading rebounder (8.0). It would help if post players Lauren Whitehurst and Nikki Newman can build on their offensive output in the Dukes' last game against Maine when the duo combined for 20 points. Our sense is that these Blue Devils have yet to face a team with the level of athleticism the Dukes can present, and that JMU will get CSSU out of its comfort zone enough times to prevail. But we don't expect it to be easy. JMU 66, CCSU 59
Central Connecticut State (6-2) at James Madison (6-1), 1 p.m.
The Dukes are riding a 14-game home winning streak but are playing at the Convocation Center for just the third time this season and first in nearly a month (Nov. 20). The Blue Devils' record is even more impressive when you consider that they had to replace all five starters from last year's 19-11 WNIT team. JMU guards attacking the rim need to be mindful of CCSU's 6-3 junior center Kirsten Daamen, who blocked 7 shots last Saturday against Siena and began the week ranked 10th in Division I in rejections. We were so busy marveling at the early scoring prowess of Kirby Burkholder - and the extra attention she's been drawing recently - that we failed to realize she's currently the team's leading rebounder (8.0). It would help if post players Lauren Whitehurst and Nikki Newman can build on their offensive output in the Dukes' last game against Maine when the duo combined for 20 points. Our sense is that these Blue Devils have yet to face a team with the level of athleticism the Dukes can present, and that JMU will get CSSU out of its comfort zone enough times to prevail. But we don't expect it to be easy. JMU 66, CCSU 59
Longwood (2-7) at Wright State (5-4) in Wright State Tournament, 2 p.m.
A three-games-in-three-days event is hardly ideal for the undermanned Lancers, who had just seven basketball-scholarship players available for Thursday's loss at Marshall. The expected return of junior forward Heather Tobeck, who sat out Thursday with an injury, will definitely help. Longwood has also enlisted the services of four walk-ons, three of whom have or are currently playing other sports for the Lancers. Freshman Megan Baltzell and senior Courtney Long are on the softball team, and senior Kacie Oliver just completed a four-year career in soccer. The fourth walk-on is freshman LeeAnn Sullivan; her sister, Lauren, was a five-year member of the field hockey team. These guys aren't just practice fodder, either, particularly Baltzell, who played 12 minutes in the Lancers' loss at Marshall. Wright State 59, Longwood 49
A three-games-in-three-days event is hardly ideal for the undermanned Lancers, who had just seven basketball-scholarship players available for Thursday's loss at Marshall. The expected return of junior forward Heather Tobeck, who sat out Thursday with an injury, will definitely help. Longwood has also enlisted the services of four walk-ons, three of whom have or are currently playing other sports for the Lancers. Freshman Megan Baltzell and senior Courtney Long are on the softball team, and senior Kacie Oliver just completed a four-year career in soccer. The fourth walk-on is freshman LeeAnn Sullivan; her sister, Lauren, was a five-year member of the field hockey team. These guys aren't just practice fodder, either, particularly Baltzell, who played 12 minutes in the Lancers' loss at Marshall. Wright State 59, Longwood 49
Virginia Tech (3-6) at UCF (4-5), 2 p.m.
Talk about comfortable scheduling. The Knights will be playing their ninth straight home game; the Hokies won't play home game No. 9 until Jan. 29. Tech left for Florida on a upswing after Sunday's 70-52 victory over North Carolina Central that snapped a five-game losing streak. Sophomore forward Latorri Hines-Allen continued her emergence that game by recording her first career double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds). Hines-Allen had a career-high 12 rebounds in Tech's previous game at Penn State and is averaged 10 boards in her last three games. The Knights are one of the nation's worst at committing turnovers. If the Hokies can capitalize on some of those mistakes, we like their chances of becoming the fifth team in the past month to overcome UCF's homecourt advantage. Virginia Tech 56, UCF 53
Talk about comfortable scheduling. The Knights will be playing their ninth straight home game; the Hokies won't play home game No. 9 until Jan. 29. Tech left for Florida on a upswing after Sunday's 70-52 victory over North Carolina Central that snapped a five-game losing streak. Sophomore forward Latorri Hines-Allen continued her emergence that game by recording her first career double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds). Hines-Allen had a career-high 12 rebounds in Tech's previous game at Penn State and is averaged 10 boards in her last three games. The Knights are one of the nation's worst at committing turnovers. If the Hokies can capitalize on some of those mistakes, we like their chances of becoming the fifth team in the past month to overcome UCF's homecourt advantage. Virginia Tech 56, UCF 53
Radford (6-3) at Virginia (8-2), 2 p.m.
The Highlanders have been impressive in road victories at Wofford and Norfolk State, but those guys aren't these guys. Radford has had a tendency to start slowly, and if the Highlanders do that today, this one will be over quickly. On the other hand, if they can use their quick hands and defensive tenacity to force mistakes and get some easy scores, they can hang around for a while. It may help their cause that the Highlanders have played twice since Virginia's last game 11 days ago. Ultimately, though, we just don't think Radford can score enough points against a Virginia defense that has held six of its opponents to 49 points or less. Virginia 69, Radford 48
The Highlanders have been impressive in road victories at Wofford and Norfolk State, but those guys aren't these guys. Radford has had a tendency to start slowly, and if the Highlanders do that today, this one will be over quickly. On the other hand, if they can use their quick hands and defensive tenacity to force mistakes and get some easy scores, they can hang around for a while. It may help their cause that the Highlanders have played twice since Virginia's last game 11 days ago. Ultimately, though, we just don't think Radford can score enough points against a Virginia defense that has held six of its opponents to 49 points or less. Virginia 69, Radford 48
North Carolina A&T (6-3) at Old Dominion (2-8), 2 p.m.
Teams coming out of an exam break often look for a MEAC opponent to ease their way back into battle, but the Lady Monarchs figure to have their hands full today against an A&T club that may wind up being Hampton's chief challenger for the MEAC title. The Lady Aggies haven't quite been the same team on the road as they've been at home. Still, they gave William and Mary fits Thursday before bowing by six points in Williamsburg. Also, the Lady Monarchs had better not relax if they get a seemingly comfortable lead because A&T is often at its most explosive when playing from behind. Most teams worry about rust coming out of an exam break, but we figure the Lady Monarchs should actually thrive with the extra rest given their jam-packed, travel-crazy November schedule. That, and the fact that this game is at the Constant Center, is why we're giving a slight edge to ODU. ODU 72, North Carolina A&T 66
Teams coming out of an exam break often look for a MEAC opponent to ease their way back into battle, but the Lady Monarchs figure to have their hands full today against an A&T club that may wind up being Hampton's chief challenger for the MEAC title. The Lady Aggies haven't quite been the same team on the road as they've been at home. Still, they gave William and Mary fits Thursday before bowing by six points in Williamsburg. Also, the Lady Monarchs had better not relax if they get a seemingly comfortable lead because A&T is often at its most explosive when playing from behind. Most teams worry about rust coming out of an exam break, but we figure the Lady Monarchs should actually thrive with the extra rest given their jam-packed, travel-crazy November schedule. That, and the fact that this game is at the Constant Center, is why we're giving a slight edge to ODU. ODU 72, North Carolina A&T 66
Coppin State (2-7) at VCU (5-3), 2 p.m.
Rams are playing their first game since a 62-49 victory at East Carolina on Dec. 7 that featured a 28-point, 12-rebound effort from Courtney Hurt. Coppin averages about 13 steals a game so Rams guards are going to have to be strong and decisive with the ball. Also, the Eagles aren't likely to be intimidated by their surroundings as they've already played road games at Syracuse, Oklahoma State and Wake Forest. But we don't expect Coppin has enough other answers for Hurt and Co. VCU 67, Coppin State 54
Rams are playing their first game since a 62-49 victory at East Carolina on Dec. 7 that featured a 28-point, 12-rebound effort from Courtney Hurt. Coppin averages about 13 steals a game so Rams guards are going to have to be strong and decisive with the ball. Also, the Eagles aren't likely to be intimidated by their surroundings as they've already played road games at Syracuse, Oklahoma State and Wake Forest. But we don't expect Coppin has enough other answers for Hurt and Co. VCU 67, Coppin State 54
Happy Holidays from the Lady Monarchs
Season's greetings from Old Dominion (love the Santa hat, Karen!) Hope you guys win on Sunday!
Holiday Gift Guide: Get in the game
On the 8th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ....
Trivia games get the best of me, especially considering I'm married to someone who could rack up some dough from "Jeopardy." But if you and your buds go back a ways following WBB, here's a board game that beats "Trivial Pursuit."
Debbie Antonelli, along with "Shootaround" Co-Host Beth Mowins, have dedicated years of research to women's basketball and it's captured in one trivia game called "Full Court Pressure." Each of the 225 questions is a mini-history lesson on women's basketball. The purpose of this fun, entertaining game is two-fold: educate today's players about the history of our game and raise money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Purchase your trivia game at www.wbhof.com and support the Hall and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Each game is $30.00 plus shipping.
Some sample questions:
*Who's the only Wade Trophy winner that didn't score 1000 points in college?
*What program went to the Final Four the most times in the decade of the 1990s?
*Who is the only UCONN player to average a double-double over her four year college career?
To find the answers, buy a game and enjoy hours of fun on the team bus or with a booster club or with some women's basketball fans! You'll be entertained and support a good cause!
Trivia games get the best of me, especially considering I'm married to someone who could rack up some dough from "Jeopardy." But if you and your buds go back a ways following WBB, here's a board game that beats "Trivial Pursuit."
Debbie Antonelli, along with "Shootaround" Co-Host Beth Mowins, have dedicated years of research to women's basketball and it's captured in one trivia game called "Full Court Pressure." Each of the 225 questions is a mini-history lesson on women's basketball. The purpose of this fun, entertaining game is two-fold: educate today's players about the history of our game and raise money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Purchase your trivia game at www.wbhof.com and support the Hall and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Each game is $30.00 plus shipping.Some sample questions:
*Who's the only Wade Trophy winner that didn't score 1000 points in college?
*What program went to the Final Four the most times in the decade of the 1990s?
*Who is the only UCONN player to average a double-double over her four year college career?
To find the answers, buy a game and enjoy hours of fun on the team bus or with a booster club or with some women's basketball fans! You'll be entertained and support a good cause!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Radford's "Road Warriors" knock off Norfolk State
Friday's result:
Radford 80, Norfolk State 68: Who says Radford can't win on the road in December? Well, we did, and so did just about everyone else. And we were right - heading into this season the Highlanders hadn't won a road game in the 12th month of the year since 2007. That's old news now, though, as for the second straight game the Highlanders prevailed in someone else's gym, this time overcoming Norfolk State at the Spartans' Echols Arena. The Highlanders' first-half superiority on the offensive boards was a big key. In the opening 20 minutes, Radford enjoyed a 15-5 edge on the offensive glass and a 15-0 advantage in second-chance points en route to a 40-33 lead at intermission. The Spartans got after it on the boards themselves after the break and cut an 18-point deficit to 5, but went without a field goal over the final 3:21. Victoria Hamilton had 15 points and 12 rebounds for her second career double-double, Da'Naria Erwin Spencer had a game-high 20 points and Ashley Buckhannon chipped in 15 points for the Highlanders (6-3). Rae Corbo had 19 points, Whitney Long 13 and freshman Quineshia Leonard 11 for the Spartans (5-4). Rachel Gordon hauled down 13 rebounds but scored just 2 points - 11 under her average - on 1-of-8 shooting. The Spartans also hurt themselves by missing 15 of 34 free throws.
Fire destroys player's home; here's how we can help
While we focus on the Virginia schools, we try to keep tabs of programs across the country to compile our Silent Majority rankings. While doing this today we stumbled across the unfortunate story of St. Bonaventure freshman guard Tatiana Wilson, whose family lost their home and everything in it in a fire Tuesday morning. From the school's release:
"Wilson's mother and five younger siblings jumped from their second-story home into the arms of New York Coty Sanitation Department workers, who saw the flames from a distance and called 911. Tameka, Wilson's mother, broke her back while trying to escape, sister Amari, 12, suffered a broken leg and sister Shaina, 17, suffered third-degree burns."
St. Bonaventure's University Ministries is accepting cash and checks on behalf of Wilson to aid in the family's recovery. Donations should be directed specifically to the Wilson Family Assistance Program, and may be mailed to the following address:
University Ministries
c/o Wilson Family Assistance Program
Thomas Merton Center
St. Bonaventure, N.Y. 14778
Wilson, who played briefly in the Bonnies' 63-49 victory over Niagara Friday, attended South Shore High in New York where she teamed with Jenice Winter, who has signed with VCU.
Holiday Gift Guide: Uggs and Beats
If you're like me, you buy your boots at Rack Room and your headphones at Wal-Mart. But we're blessed that many of our readers are not like me -- they're young adults, players and former players who understand what hip is. Gifts they like -- and gifts for the fan who wants to be like the player -- are what tops our holiday list today.
Surely you've heard of the Ugg. It's a boot originally from Australia made from sheepskin with fleece inside. While the long, black boot that clings to the leg continues to be my preference, the 18-24 set would rather wear the Ugg. Some have buttons on them; some have laces and a loftier heel. Some are $130; others are $375.Admittedly, they're pretty cool and cozy, too.
 |
| Be like ODU's ABW! |
We like 'em cause they feel good on the ear. While they have the inner ear kind, the more popular ones are the larger over-the-ear ones, proving that what goes around comes around. They come in various colors -- there's even a Lady Gaga beat, and ODU's Ashley Betz-White shared with us that she got the pink ones for her birthday a couple of weeks ago. Try them and the Wal-Mart brand, even the Bose kind, won't be good enough anymore.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Richmond spanks N.C. State; W&M outlasts NC A&T
Thursday's results:
Richmond 72, North Carolina St. 58: The Spiders' best win of the season? Given the quality of the opponent, the venue - the Wolfpack came in 5-0 this season at Reynolds Coliseum - and the emphatic nature in which they pulled it off, this gets our vote. Frankly, we didn't see the Spiders winning this game, and we became even more wary of their chances when leading scorer Abby Oliver, who appeared to be forcing things early, picked up her second foul and left the game at the 10:23 mark with the Spiders trailing 19-17. But freshman point guard Keri Soppe and hoopster/soccer All-American Becca Wann led a stunning Richmond surge that allowed the Spiders to take command of the game with their best player on the bench. Soppe scored 10 of her career-high 12 points and dished out 4 of her 7 assists in that first half, and Wann added 7 first-half points in just 7 minutes as the Spiders took a 38-32 lead into intermission. Oliver made up for lost time after the break by scoring 15 of her team-high 17 points. For the game, the Spiders (8-2) shot 50.9 percent from the field and made 8 of their 15 3-pointers while limiting the Wolfpack to just 31-percent shooting. And while we've mentioned Soppe, Wann and Oliver, everyone had a hand in the Spiders' success, from Gen Okoro's 9 points and 9 rebounds to Amber Battle, who made the only shot she attempted, a 3-pointer, on the campus where her parents starred as college basketball players in the 1980s.
William and Mary 74, North Carolina A&T 68: As was the case in their double-overtime victory at Norfolk State, this was a game the Tribe probably would have lost last year. But after blowing a 13-point second half lead and falling behind by 4 with less than 3 minutes left, the newly never-say-die Tribe dug in and scored 12 of the game's final 14 points, a run punctuated by Janine Aldridge's cold-blooded 3-pointer with 30 seconds left that sealed the deal. It was the fifth 3-pointer of the night for Aldridge, who finished with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Emily Correal added 15 points and Jaclyn McKenna chipped in 12 for William and Mary (5-3), which shot 51.7 percent from the field and had 23 assists on their 31 field goals. And it took those kinds of numbers to subdue a resilient A&T team that has already beaten Clemson and will likely win a whole bunch of games in the MEAC.
Liberty 82, Virginia Union 37: Avery Warley had 22 points and 11 rebounds in just 18 minutes as the Lady Flames (5-5) did the expected against overmatched Union. Jasmine Gardner had 14 points, Devon Brown 13 and freshman Catherine Kearney 11 for the Lady Flames, who won the rebounding battle 68-35. Valentina Wheeler led Union with 14 points and Vicki Collier, who formerly played for Old Dominion, added 11.
Marshall 62, Longwood 48: Brittanni Billups had 13 points and 9 rebounds to pace the Lancers, who kept things close until midway through the second half. Erin Neal and Chelsea Coward each added 10 points for Longwood (2-7), which is still in search of that elusive first road win.
Richmond 72, North Carolina St. 58: The Spiders' best win of the season? Given the quality of the opponent, the venue - the Wolfpack came in 5-0 this season at Reynolds Coliseum - and the emphatic nature in which they pulled it off, this gets our vote. Frankly, we didn't see the Spiders winning this game, and we became even more wary of their chances when leading scorer Abby Oliver, who appeared to be forcing things early, picked up her second foul and left the game at the 10:23 mark with the Spiders trailing 19-17. But freshman point guard Keri Soppe and hoopster/soccer All-American Becca Wann led a stunning Richmond surge that allowed the Spiders to take command of the game with their best player on the bench. Soppe scored 10 of her career-high 12 points and dished out 4 of her 7 assists in that first half, and Wann added 7 first-half points in just 7 minutes as the Spiders took a 38-32 lead into intermission. Oliver made up for lost time after the break by scoring 15 of her team-high 17 points. For the game, the Spiders (8-2) shot 50.9 percent from the field and made 8 of their 15 3-pointers while limiting the Wolfpack to just 31-percent shooting. And while we've mentioned Soppe, Wann and Oliver, everyone had a hand in the Spiders' success, from Gen Okoro's 9 points and 9 rebounds to Amber Battle, who made the only shot she attempted, a 3-pointer, on the campus where her parents starred as college basketball players in the 1980s.
William and Mary 74, North Carolina A&T 68: As was the case in their double-overtime victory at Norfolk State, this was a game the Tribe probably would have lost last year. But after blowing a 13-point second half lead and falling behind by 4 with less than 3 minutes left, the newly never-say-die Tribe dug in and scored 12 of the game's final 14 points, a run punctuated by Janine Aldridge's cold-blooded 3-pointer with 30 seconds left that sealed the deal. It was the fifth 3-pointer of the night for Aldridge, who finished with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Emily Correal added 15 points and Jaclyn McKenna chipped in 12 for William and Mary (5-3), which shot 51.7 percent from the field and had 23 assists on their 31 field goals. And it took those kinds of numbers to subdue a resilient A&T team that has already beaten Clemson and will likely win a whole bunch of games in the MEAC.
Liberty 82, Virginia Union 37: Avery Warley had 22 points and 11 rebounds in just 18 minutes as the Lady Flames (5-5) did the expected against overmatched Union. Jasmine Gardner had 14 points, Devon Brown 13 and freshman Catherine Kearney 11 for the Lady Flames, who won the rebounding battle 68-35. Valentina Wheeler led Union with 14 points and Vicki Collier, who formerly played for Old Dominion, added 11.
Marshall 62, Longwood 48: Brittanni Billups had 13 points and 9 rebounds to pace the Lancers, who kept things close until midway through the second half. Erin Neal and Chelsea Coward each added 10 points for Longwood (2-7), which is still in search of that elusive first road win.
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