Congratulations to the Dayton Flyers, Fordham Rams and St. Joseph's Hawks, who all received bids to the 2014 NCAA Women's Tournament tonight!
Dayton, the regular season Atlantic 10 Champion, is a #6 seed and will face #11 seed Florida on Sunday at 3pm in University Park, PA in the Stanford Region.
Fordham, the Atlantic 10 Tournament Champion, received the conference's automatic bid as a #10 seed, and will face #7 California on Saturday at 4pm in Waco, Texas in the Notre Dame Region.
St. Joseph's received a bid as a #9 seed, and will battle #8 Georgia on Sunday at 5:30pm in Storrs, Connecticut in the Lincoln Region.
******
In addition, four Atlantic 10 teams, VCU, Duquesne, George Washington and St. Bonaventure, all received bits to the 2014 WNIT.
UPDATE: VCU will travel to Princeton for a first round game on Thursday, March 20th, while Duquesne will host Mount St. Mary's Friday. March 21st in a first round game. George Washington will host East Carolina in Washington on Wednesday night, March 19th at 7pm, and St. Bonaventure receives a home game against Charlotte on Friday night in Olean, New York.
WATCH: Check out tonight's Dayton Flyers celebration and announcement party courtesy of their YouTube Channel by CLICKING HERE!
RVA Sports Network Coverage of Women's Basketball, Part of Our Year Of Women's Sports Initiative!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Sunday, March 9, 2014
CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY: Fordham Wins First Atlantic 10 Title....
The Fordham Rams finished their 2009-10 season at 8-22. They followed that with a 12-19 mark, a coaching change, and a 12-18 season.
The turnaround began in head coach Stephanie Gaitley's second season, 2012-13, when the Rams vaulted from 12th to 3rd in the Atlantic 10, moving from 3-11 to 12-2, and advancing to their first Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship game, where they fell to St. Joseph's 47-46.
Mark March 9, 2014 in the Rams' history books where the turnaround should be deemed complete.
Fordham used timely shooting, tremendous tenacity on the boards, especially on the offensive end, and a fighter's mentality to figuratively and literally knock off the number-one seed, the Dayton Flyers, 63-51 in the 2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament Championship Sunday afternoon at the Richmond Coliseum.
The senior co-leaders of the Rams, Abigail Corning and Erin Rooney, each registered a double-double, Corning with 12 points and 11 rebounds, Rooney with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Rooney, despite her 5' 8" frame, was a rebounding force, helping lead the Rams to a 48-33 advantage on the glass.
Corning, for her work all weekend, was named Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
The disparity was noted and explained by a very disappointed Dayton head coach, Jim Jabir.
"We got outplayed, outcoached...they wanted it more and they executed wonderfully. When you give up 17 offensive rebounds and they shoot like they do, we don't have much of a chance at that point," Jabir said.
After an 89-68 win over George Washington characterized by Jabir as perhaps the team's best work so far this season, Sunday's performance were shockingly opposite.
"As well as we played yesterday, we played that poorly today. We were hesitant in our offense. As well as we executed yesterday, we were just jacking up shots today. We were out of sorts, and that's my fault."
Conference Player of the Year Andrea Hoover was the only Flyer to shoot 50 percent or better, and the only Dayton player in double figures with 22. Celeste Edwards scored six early, cooled, and finished with eight points on 4-of-15 shooting. Ally Malott went ice cold, going 2-for-11, finishing with 5 points.
The Flyers fall to 23-7 and still expect to be awarded an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament when the field is announced a week from Monday night. They were projected coming into Sunday as a #5 seed, up from a #6 seed after their strong semifinal performance. Now, that will all change, and Jabir will look for the right way to right the ship.
"I was very frank with them in the locker room. I told them exactly what I think the problem is and we're going to address the problem. We will get better. I think mentally we make excuses for ourselves sometimes," Jabir explained. "We rely on luck rather than being consistent and doing the same behavior the right way every time. I don't think we're really confident. If we make a couple of shots and things are going well, we play really well. If there's any kind of adversity, we struggle."
*****************
For Gaitley, the victory in the Richmond Coliseum is a "full-circle" moment of sorts. She coached the University of Richmond from 1985 to 1991, winning 116 games and two Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championships. After stops at St. Joseph's, Monmouth, and Long Island Universities, she was named Fordham's head coach on April 1, 2011. Just shy of three years later, she has the Rams in only their second NCAA Tournament, their first since 1994.
"I know the emotion of losing a championship, we experienced it a year ago," Gaitley reminded the press following the victory. "I would be remiss if my first comments weren't about my senior co-captains, Erin and Abigail. Abigail is the hardest working player I've ever coached, and that's not a knock on Erin. But Abigail plays hard in every possession, even in practice. Erin can sometimes make it look easier, Abigail is the little engine that could."
Rooney transferred to Fordham from Monmouth after Gaitley made the move, but not before almost declining. It wasn't until learning her preferred major in science was being added at Fordham that Rooney opted to follow Gaitley, and what followed was a brand new Rams program.
After sitting out the 2011-12 season per NCAA rules, Rooney averaged 13.9 points per game as Fordham advanced to the WNIT in 2012-13. This season, Rooney increased her accuracy from the field, averaged 18.2 points per game, and became the first Fordham player to be named First-Team All-Atlantic 10.
Winning the tournament championship was an overwhelming moment for Rooney.
"It's hard to describe. It's really just a feeling," Rooney said, pointing directly to her heart.
For Corning, who has seen it all in four years at Fordham, the turnaround is especially sweet.
"A complete 360, that's for sure. In my freshman year, to think we'd win the conference tournament, sitting her as champs today. It's really a credit to coach coming in sophomore year and turning the program around. We knew it would take some time. Our sophomore year, we played our hearts and we had talent but we didn't have all the pieces together. Last year we had the pieces, we just fell a point shy," Corning said.
(Abigail Corning, facing camera, shares the clipped net with senior co-captain Erin Rooney)
Corning and Rooney smiled widely while wearing their Atlantic 10 Champions hats and t-shirts. Following the press conference, they returned to the court and finished cutting down the nets.
For them, Gaitley and her staff, and the rest of the Fordham program, a statement was made, a title was won, and a ticket was punched, as the Rams were not forecast to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The only way to make sure you go to the Big Dance is to earn it. On this Sunday at the Richmond Coliseum, the Rams earned it, on both ends of the floor and in every way, large and small.
NOTES:
--Corning and Rooney were joined on the All-Tournament Team by Dayton's Hoover and Malott and VCU's Robyn Parks. Overlooked was George Washington guard Danni Jackson, who was in double figures in both of the Colonials' tournament games, and single-handedly tried to keep the Colonials in their semifinal loss to Dayton when the Flyers shut down leading scorer Jonquel Jones.
--The NCAA Tournament field will be announced Monday, March 17th at 7pm on ESPN. It will be a long wait for St. Joseph's. The tournament's #5 seed, who lost 82-79 in overtime to #4 George Washington in the quarterfinals on Friday, entered the tourney with an RPI of 17 and a Strength of Schedule of 20. Bracket projections gave the Hawks an at-large berth with a #9 or #10 seed. With Fordham grabbing the automatic Atlantic 10 berth, now the question will be if the committee will not deem the A-10 strong enough for three bids, and whether the Hawks could pay the price for that.
If based on individual team performance, the Flyers, Rams and Hawks should all see their names on television next Monday. In addition, George Washington, St. Bonaventure, Duquesne and VCU, in our projections, should see invites to the WNIT.
If seven teams out of the conference's 13 make the postseason, it would have to be considered a very successful season for the Atlantic 10, a year which saw a strong top half (VCU lost seven of their eight regular season games overall in conference) with teams beating up each other through January and February, and its first neutral court postseason tournament featuring all 13 teams this past weekend here in RVA.
Add to that touted recruiting classes at schools such as St. Louis and George Mason, and a Richmond team who will regroup after an injury-plagued year, and the Atlantic 10 will be ready to take yet another step up in quality of women's basketball overall.
But for today, the Fordham Rams wear the net and hold the trophy. And the love affair between a school and their team's co-leaders, nicknamed "Eri-Gail" by a media member after the contest, will continue as well.
(Erin Rooney poses before finishing the final cut of the Championship net at the Richmond Coliseum...)
The turnaround began in head coach Stephanie Gaitley's second season, 2012-13, when the Rams vaulted from 12th to 3rd in the Atlantic 10, moving from 3-11 to 12-2, and advancing to their first Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship game, where they fell to St. Joseph's 47-46.
Mark March 9, 2014 in the Rams' history books where the turnaround should be deemed complete.
Fordham used timely shooting, tremendous tenacity on the boards, especially on the offensive end, and a fighter's mentality to figuratively and literally knock off the number-one seed, the Dayton Flyers, 63-51 in the 2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament Championship Sunday afternoon at the Richmond Coliseum.
The senior co-leaders of the Rams, Abigail Corning and Erin Rooney, each registered a double-double, Corning with 12 points and 11 rebounds, Rooney with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Rooney, despite her 5' 8" frame, was a rebounding force, helping lead the Rams to a 48-33 advantage on the glass.
Corning, for her work all weekend, was named Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
The disparity was noted and explained by a very disappointed Dayton head coach, Jim Jabir.
"We got outplayed, outcoached...they wanted it more and they executed wonderfully. When you give up 17 offensive rebounds and they shoot like they do, we don't have much of a chance at that point," Jabir said.
After an 89-68 win over George Washington characterized by Jabir as perhaps the team's best work so far this season, Sunday's performance were shockingly opposite.
"As well as we played yesterday, we played that poorly today. We were hesitant in our offense. As well as we executed yesterday, we were just jacking up shots today. We were out of sorts, and that's my fault."
Conference Player of the Year Andrea Hoover was the only Flyer to shoot 50 percent or better, and the only Dayton player in double figures with 22. Celeste Edwards scored six early, cooled, and finished with eight points on 4-of-15 shooting. Ally Malott went ice cold, going 2-for-11, finishing with 5 points.
The Flyers fall to 23-7 and still expect to be awarded an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament when the field is announced a week from Monday night. They were projected coming into Sunday as a #5 seed, up from a #6 seed after their strong semifinal performance. Now, that will all change, and Jabir will look for the right way to right the ship.
"I was very frank with them in the locker room. I told them exactly what I think the problem is and we're going to address the problem. We will get better. I think mentally we make excuses for ourselves sometimes," Jabir explained. "We rely on luck rather than being consistent and doing the same behavior the right way every time. I don't think we're really confident. If we make a couple of shots and things are going well, we play really well. If there's any kind of adversity, we struggle."
*****************
For Gaitley, the victory in the Richmond Coliseum is a "full-circle" moment of sorts. She coached the University of Richmond from 1985 to 1991, winning 116 games and two Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championships. After stops at St. Joseph's, Monmouth, and Long Island Universities, she was named Fordham's head coach on April 1, 2011. Just shy of three years later, she has the Rams in only their second NCAA Tournament, their first since 1994.
"I know the emotion of losing a championship, we experienced it a year ago," Gaitley reminded the press following the victory. "I would be remiss if my first comments weren't about my senior co-captains, Erin and Abigail. Abigail is the hardest working player I've ever coached, and that's not a knock on Erin. But Abigail plays hard in every possession, even in practice. Erin can sometimes make it look easier, Abigail is the little engine that could."
Rooney transferred to Fordham from Monmouth after Gaitley made the move, but not before almost declining. It wasn't until learning her preferred major in science was being added at Fordham that Rooney opted to follow Gaitley, and what followed was a brand new Rams program.
After sitting out the 2011-12 season per NCAA rules, Rooney averaged 13.9 points per game as Fordham advanced to the WNIT in 2012-13. This season, Rooney increased her accuracy from the field, averaged 18.2 points per game, and became the first Fordham player to be named First-Team All-Atlantic 10.
Winning the tournament championship was an overwhelming moment for Rooney.
"It's hard to describe. It's really just a feeling," Rooney said, pointing directly to her heart.
For Corning, who has seen it all in four years at Fordham, the turnaround is especially sweet.
"A complete 360, that's for sure. In my freshman year, to think we'd win the conference tournament, sitting her as champs today. It's really a credit to coach coming in sophomore year and turning the program around. We knew it would take some time. Our sophomore year, we played our hearts and we had talent but we didn't have all the pieces together. Last year we had the pieces, we just fell a point shy," Corning said.
(Abigail Corning, facing camera, shares the clipped net with senior co-captain Erin Rooney)
Corning and Rooney smiled widely while wearing their Atlantic 10 Champions hats and t-shirts. Following the press conference, they returned to the court and finished cutting down the nets.
For them, Gaitley and her staff, and the rest of the Fordham program, a statement was made, a title was won, and a ticket was punched, as the Rams were not forecast to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The only way to make sure you go to the Big Dance is to earn it. On this Sunday at the Richmond Coliseum, the Rams earned it, on both ends of the floor and in every way, large and small.
NOTES:
--Corning and Rooney were joined on the All-Tournament Team by Dayton's Hoover and Malott and VCU's Robyn Parks. Overlooked was George Washington guard Danni Jackson, who was in double figures in both of the Colonials' tournament games, and single-handedly tried to keep the Colonials in their semifinal loss to Dayton when the Flyers shut down leading scorer Jonquel Jones.
--The NCAA Tournament field will be announced Monday, March 17th at 7pm on ESPN. It will be a long wait for St. Joseph's. The tournament's #5 seed, who lost 82-79 in overtime to #4 George Washington in the quarterfinals on Friday, entered the tourney with an RPI of 17 and a Strength of Schedule of 20. Bracket projections gave the Hawks an at-large berth with a #9 or #10 seed. With Fordham grabbing the automatic Atlantic 10 berth, now the question will be if the committee will not deem the A-10 strong enough for three bids, and whether the Hawks could pay the price for that.
If based on individual team performance, the Flyers, Rams and Hawks should all see their names on television next Monday. In addition, George Washington, St. Bonaventure, Duquesne and VCU, in our projections, should see invites to the WNIT.
If seven teams out of the conference's 13 make the postseason, it would have to be considered a very successful season for the Atlantic 10, a year which saw a strong top half (VCU lost seven of their eight regular season games overall in conference) with teams beating up each other through January and February, and its first neutral court postseason tournament featuring all 13 teams this past weekend here in RVA.
Add to that touted recruiting classes at schools such as St. Louis and George Mason, and a Richmond team who will regroup after an injury-plagued year, and the Atlantic 10 will be ready to take yet another step up in quality of women's basketball overall.
But for today, the Fordham Rams wear the net and hold the trophy. And the love affair between a school and their team's co-leaders, nicknamed "Eri-Gail" by a media member after the contest, will continue as well.
UPSET: Fordham knocks off Dayton to WIN Atlantic 10 Tournament, NCAA Berth....
An amazing performance of consistency in all phases of the game, coupled with the shooting of the Dayton Flyers going cold, gives the Fordham Rams, after 19 seasons in the Atlantic 10, their First Tournament Championship, 63-51.
Three Rams had double-doubles: the senior combination of Erin Rooney (13 pts, 13 rebounds), Abigail Corning (12 pts, 11 rebounds) and Emily Tapio, who came alive in the second half with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Andrea Hoover's 22 points and 6 rebounds were not enough as the Flyers fall short again of the tournament championship after a two-year regular season run that saw Dayton finish first place with 16-0 and 14-2 records.
More to come!
Three Rams had double-doubles: the senior combination of Erin Rooney (13 pts, 13 rebounds), Abigail Corning (12 pts, 11 rebounds) and Emily Tapio, who came alive in the second half with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Andrea Hoover's 22 points and 6 rebounds were not enough as the Flyers fall short again of the tournament championship after a two-year regular season run that saw Dayton finish first place with 16-0 and 14-2 records.
More to come!
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE HALF: #1 Dayton 30, #3 Fordham 29....
Save a brief stretch about five to seven minutes into the game when Dayton, the top-seed, had a chance to open up a double-digit lead but didn't, it has been a battle worthy of the term "championship".
The Rams cut a six-point edge down to one by 10:15 left in the half, then hit back-to-back threes to take a small advantage. A missed opportunity on the final possession of the half by Fordham, where they ran their play, only to kick back to guard Erin Rooney at the point to face a half-court trap with eight seconds left, not giving them enough time to re-run the play before the horn, may be one that's remembered awhile for Rams fans.
Abigail Corning leads the Rams with 9 points, while Rooney has 5 points and 6 tenacious rebounds.
For Dayton, the physical trials of Ally Malott continue. She re-tweaked an ankle that was hurt in the VCU quarterfinal, and bled from an elbow late in the half after drawing a foul inside. She made one-of-two free throws and has 3 points and 5 rebounds.
Conference Player of the Year Andrea Hoover has lived to that billing, leading Dayton with 11 points and 5 rebounds, four of them on the offensive glass, where she makes a living batting balls back out to her guard tandem of Celeste Edwards and Amber Deane. The battle between Edwards, the freshman, and Rooney, the redshirt senior, have been fun to watch. Edwards contributed her six points in the earlier part of the half as Dayton built an early lead that they couldn't hold.
Dayton seeks a stamp of validation in the next 20 minutes. They went unbeaten in the A-10 last year, only to lose in the Tournament Semis. They won the conference again this year at 14-2, but want the Tournament Title, and the NCAA Tournament bid that goes with it, in the worst way.
Fordham seeks to erase the heartbreak of losing in this very Championship Game as a #3 seed a year ago, 47-46 to St. Joseph's. They currently, in ESPN'S Women's Bracketology, are listed in the "Next Four Out" category. It seems only a win puts them in the Big Dance. They'll certainly play in the WNIT if they aren't able to accomplish that.
NOTE: St. Joseph's, though the #5 seed and eliminated in the Tournament Quarterfinals in overtime by George Washington, are currently listed by ESPN as being in the Field of 64 as a #10 seed (down from #9 yesterday) thanks to a very high Strength of Schedule (20) and RPI (17).
Dayton was moved up this morning from a projected #6 seed to a #5 seed. The Tournament field will be announced Monday, March 17th, 7pm on ESPN.
The Rams cut a six-point edge down to one by 10:15 left in the half, then hit back-to-back threes to take a small advantage. A missed opportunity on the final possession of the half by Fordham, where they ran their play, only to kick back to guard Erin Rooney at the point to face a half-court trap with eight seconds left, not giving them enough time to re-run the play before the horn, may be one that's remembered awhile for Rams fans.
Abigail Corning leads the Rams with 9 points, while Rooney has 5 points and 6 tenacious rebounds.
For Dayton, the physical trials of Ally Malott continue. She re-tweaked an ankle that was hurt in the VCU quarterfinal, and bled from an elbow late in the half after drawing a foul inside. She made one-of-two free throws and has 3 points and 5 rebounds.
Conference Player of the Year Andrea Hoover has lived to that billing, leading Dayton with 11 points and 5 rebounds, four of them on the offensive glass, where she makes a living batting balls back out to her guard tandem of Celeste Edwards and Amber Deane. The battle between Edwards, the freshman, and Rooney, the redshirt senior, have been fun to watch. Edwards contributed her six points in the earlier part of the half as Dayton built an early lead that they couldn't hold.
Dayton seeks a stamp of validation in the next 20 minutes. They went unbeaten in the A-10 last year, only to lose in the Tournament Semis. They won the conference again this year at 14-2, but want the Tournament Title, and the NCAA Tournament bid that goes with it, in the worst way.
Fordham seeks to erase the heartbreak of losing in this very Championship Game as a #3 seed a year ago, 47-46 to St. Joseph's. They currently, in ESPN'S Women's Bracketology, are listed in the "Next Four Out" category. It seems only a win puts them in the Big Dance. They'll certainly play in the WNIT if they aren't able to accomplish that.
NOTE: St. Joseph's, though the #5 seed and eliminated in the Tournament Quarterfinals in overtime by George Washington, are currently listed by ESPN as being in the Field of 64 as a #10 seed (down from #9 yesterday) thanks to a very high Strength of Schedule (20) and RPI (17).
Dayton was moved up this morning from a projected #6 seed to a #5 seed. The Tournament field will be announced Monday, March 17th, 7pm on ESPN.
CHAMPIONSHIP PRIMER: #1 Dayton vs. #3 Fordham
#1 Seed: Dayton:
--two-time defending Atlantic 10 regular season champions
--defeated VCU in quarterfinals 62-61, George Washington in semifinals 89-68
--23-6 record overall
--combined 30-2 regular season league record past two seasons
--1-3 all-time in Atlantic 10 Tournament vs. Fordham
--won 3rd A-10 Tournament title in school history in 2012 over St. Bonaventure 56-53...
#3 Seed: Fordham:
--seeking first Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship
--lost 2013 Tournament Final, 47-46 to St. Joseph's
--St. Joseph's was a #4 seed, Fordham a #3 seed last year as well
--had only won five tournament games all-time as a program before coming to Richmond this week
--back-to-back seasons in semis and finals; first two appearances in either for program
NOTE: Watch today's game on ESPNU, tipoff just after 11AM EDT (did you set your clocks up last night?)
--two-time defending Atlantic 10 regular season champions
--defeated VCU in quarterfinals 62-61, George Washington in semifinals 89-68
--23-6 record overall
--combined 30-2 regular season league record past two seasons
--1-3 all-time in Atlantic 10 Tournament vs. Fordham
--won 3rd A-10 Tournament title in school history in 2012 over St. Bonaventure 56-53...
#3 Seed: Fordham:
--seeking first Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship
--lost 2013 Tournament Final, 47-46 to St. Joseph's
--St. Joseph's was a #4 seed, Fordham a #3 seed last year as well
--had only won five tournament games all-time as a program before coming to Richmond this week
--back-to-back seasons in semis and finals; first two appearances in either for program
NOTE: Watch today's game on ESPNU, tipoff just after 11AM EDT (did you set your clocks up last night?)
Saturday, March 8, 2014
SEMIFINAL #2: #3 Fordham 73, #2 St. Bonaventure 32....
"I wish this wasn't real....I wish this game wasn't real...."
The words of Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, St. Bonaventure's Jim Crowley after his team's emotional time in Richmond came to a painful end with a 73-32 loss to Fordham in the Tournament Semifinals at the Richmond Coliseum.
As for the game, it was simply, at its root, a matter of making shots versus missing them. St. Bonaventure set the A-10 Tournament record for fewest points in a game (32), fewest field goals made (9), and the lowest field goal shooting percentage (16.7% on 9-of-54 from the field).
But more than that, the Bonnies had to deal with so much more than just five opponents on a basketball court, continuing to deal with the tragic loss of Assistant Sports Information Director Brian Moretti, who collapsed and passed away of cardiac arrest after arriving in Richmond on Wednesday night at only 25 years of age.
"Everyone grieves differently, but we do grieve as a family," Crowley noted with purpose, paying tribute to his team for their effort in the second half, where Fordham only had a 35-28 advantage. He said he didn't look ahead as to how to help the team forget this game and prepare them for a likely appearance in the WNIT, choosing to begin that process following the contest.
For Fordham, it, too, was a strange experience. They shot 57.7% from the floor, 13-of-22 from three-point range (their best performance beyond the arc this season). Subs who played liberally in the second half had hot hands. So, for head coach Stephanie Gaitley, it was also a unique halftime period.
"I told the kids, it's 0-0. I had to, because if I let up, they let up, and we've had some games this year where we had good leads at halftime and we did let up some," Gaitley explained.
Hannah Missry launched the Rams' offensive assault with four quick treys in the opening minutes as the lead built to 19-2 in just seven minutes. Many games begin like that, with the team behind launching a comeback of some sort. St. Bonaventure tried, but the shots simply wouldn't fall. With 4:08 left in the first half, they were shooting five percent (1-of-20) from the field. Two and a half minutes later, the score was 33-2.
Missry led the Rams with 18 points while Erin Rooney scored her 10 points in the first half. Katie Healy led St. Bonaventure with 12 points, 10 after intermission. The lead grew to as many as 49 at 67-18 with 4:30 to go before the Bonnies (23-10) finished on a 14-6 run.
The attention now turns to the Championship Game, where Fordham played a year ago, had the lead, but fell in heartbreaking fashion to St. Joseph's 47-46. This year they face Dayton, the #1 seed, a team Gaitley has never beaten in her time at Fordham.
"Abigail (Corning) told me last night after the game (quarterfinal win over Duquesne) that that was her first win over Duquesne. We were 1-7 against St. Bonaventure before today. So maybe the stars are aligned."
We'll find out Sunday at 11AM.
The words of Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, St. Bonaventure's Jim Crowley after his team's emotional time in Richmond came to a painful end with a 73-32 loss to Fordham in the Tournament Semifinals at the Richmond Coliseum.
As for the game, it was simply, at its root, a matter of making shots versus missing them. St. Bonaventure set the A-10 Tournament record for fewest points in a game (32), fewest field goals made (9), and the lowest field goal shooting percentage (16.7% on 9-of-54 from the field).
But more than that, the Bonnies had to deal with so much more than just five opponents on a basketball court, continuing to deal with the tragic loss of Assistant Sports Information Director Brian Moretti, who collapsed and passed away of cardiac arrest after arriving in Richmond on Wednesday night at only 25 years of age.
"Everyone grieves differently, but we do grieve as a family," Crowley noted with purpose, paying tribute to his team for their effort in the second half, where Fordham only had a 35-28 advantage. He said he didn't look ahead as to how to help the team forget this game and prepare them for a likely appearance in the WNIT, choosing to begin that process following the contest.
For Fordham, it, too, was a strange experience. They shot 57.7% from the floor, 13-of-22 from three-point range (their best performance beyond the arc this season). Subs who played liberally in the second half had hot hands. So, for head coach Stephanie Gaitley, it was also a unique halftime period.
"I told the kids, it's 0-0. I had to, because if I let up, they let up, and we've had some games this year where we had good leads at halftime and we did let up some," Gaitley explained.
Hannah Missry launched the Rams' offensive assault with four quick treys in the opening minutes as the lead built to 19-2 in just seven minutes. Many games begin like that, with the team behind launching a comeback of some sort. St. Bonaventure tried, but the shots simply wouldn't fall. With 4:08 left in the first half, they were shooting five percent (1-of-20) from the field. Two and a half minutes later, the score was 33-2.
Missry led the Rams with 18 points while Erin Rooney scored her 10 points in the first half. Katie Healy led St. Bonaventure with 12 points, 10 after intermission. The lead grew to as many as 49 at 67-18 with 4:30 to go before the Bonnies (23-10) finished on a 14-6 run.
The attention now turns to the Championship Game, where Fordham played a year ago, had the lead, but fell in heartbreaking fashion to St. Joseph's 47-46. This year they face Dayton, the #1 seed, a team Gaitley has never beaten in her time at Fordham.
"Abigail (Corning) told me last night after the game (quarterfinal win over Duquesne) that that was her first win over Duquesne. We were 1-7 against St. Bonaventure before today. So maybe the stars are aligned."
We'll find out Sunday at 11AM.
SEMIFINALS UPDATE: #3 Fordham 38, #2 St. Bonaventure 4...
An inexplicable 20 minutes of basketball by the second-seeded Bonnies, who literally could not get the ball in the basket, shooting 2-of-25 from the field, just eight percent.
Inside, outside, didn't matter.
Meanwhile, Hannah Missry hit four early three-pointers to help Fordham start building their lead. She leads the Rams with those 12 points, followed by Erin Rooney with 10.
It's impossible to know how the Bonnies are faring emotionally after the tragic loss of the Assistant Sports Information Director Brian Moretti Wednesday night here in Richmond of cardiac arrest at just 25 years of age. His primary responsibility was taking care of the St. Bonaventure women's basketball team.
These are unique, sad circumstances, in which the outcome of a game, in the larger picture, seems not to matter much. Expect the Bonnies to play from the heart in the second half, as their season is expected to continue in the WNIT even with a loss today.
Inside, outside, didn't matter.
Meanwhile, Hannah Missry hit four early three-pointers to help Fordham start building their lead. She leads the Rams with those 12 points, followed by Erin Rooney with 10.
It's impossible to know how the Bonnies are faring emotionally after the tragic loss of the Assistant Sports Information Director Brian Moretti Wednesday night here in Richmond of cardiac arrest at just 25 years of age. His primary responsibility was taking care of the St. Bonaventure women's basketball team.
These are unique, sad circumstances, in which the outcome of a game, in the larger picture, seems not to matter much. Expect the Bonnies to play from the heart in the second half, as their season is expected to continue in the WNIT even with a loss today.
SEMIFINAL #1: #1 Dayton 89, #4 George Washington 68...
"George Washington punched us in the mouth last Saturday," Dayton head coach Jim Jabir said. It was his mission to ensure his Dayton Flyers counterpunched.
Boy, did they ever.
Disrupting the offensive rhythm of the Colonials and their inside star, Jonquel Jones, while improving their perimeter and inside shooting as the game progressed, Dayton ran away from George Washington for an 89-68 win to advance to Sunday's Atlantic 10 Women's Tournament Championship.
"They added an element of physicality to their game. There were no easy cuts. We just couldn't get going," said George Washington head coach Jonathan Tsipis.
After hitting two from outside, the Colonials went ice cold in a stretch of a first half which saw them finish at 18.2% shooting (6-for-33). Add to that Dayton's ability to take away George Washington's usual strength of an advantage in rebounding, and it was a recipe for a Flyers' masterpiece.
Inside, Ally Malott had 19 points, 9 rebounds, six of them offensive. Cassie Sant added 10 points and keyed the disruption of Jones, held to just 6 points after scoring 22, mostly inside, in the Colonials' 88-79 win over Dayton last Saturday.
"That was the best defensive performance Cassie Sant has ever had, and that's not hyperbole," Jabir said.
"Credit to my teammates. The guards were doing their work, helping us out, too," Sant noted.
George Washington improves from 14-16 last year, losing in the A-10 Quarterfinals to Dayton to 21-10, a Semifinalist, and a likely participant in the upcoming WNIT. Tsipis is ready for the challenge and the reward of the postseason, something not seen in GW land for quite some time.
Dayton improves to 23-6 and awaits the winner of Fordham/St. Bonaventure in tomorrow's 11AM Championship Game to be televised on ESPNU.
Boy, did they ever.
Disrupting the offensive rhythm of the Colonials and their inside star, Jonquel Jones, while improving their perimeter and inside shooting as the game progressed, Dayton ran away from George Washington for an 89-68 win to advance to Sunday's Atlantic 10 Women's Tournament Championship.
"They added an element of physicality to their game. There were no easy cuts. We just couldn't get going," said George Washington head coach Jonathan Tsipis.
After hitting two from outside, the Colonials went ice cold in a stretch of a first half which saw them finish at 18.2% shooting (6-for-33). Add to that Dayton's ability to take away George Washington's usual strength of an advantage in rebounding, and it was a recipe for a Flyers' masterpiece.
Inside, Ally Malott had 19 points, 9 rebounds, six of them offensive. Cassie Sant added 10 points and keyed the disruption of Jones, held to just 6 points after scoring 22, mostly inside, in the Colonials' 88-79 win over Dayton last Saturday.
"That was the best defensive performance Cassie Sant has ever had, and that's not hyperbole," Jabir said.
"Credit to my teammates. The guards were doing their work, helping us out, too," Sant noted.
George Washington improves from 14-16 last year, losing in the A-10 Quarterfinals to Dayton to 21-10, a Semifinalist, and a likely participant in the upcoming WNIT. Tsipis is ready for the challenge and the reward of the postseason, something not seen in GW land for quite some time.
Dayton improves to 23-6 and awaits the winner of Fordham/St. Bonaventure in tomorrow's 11AM Championship Game to be televised on ESPNU.
SEMIFINAL UPDATE: #1 Dayton 39, #4 George Washington 25....AT THE HALF
George Washington's shooting is matching the frigid temperatures inside the Richmond Coliseum.
The Colonials matched Dayton briefly point for point in the opening three minutes, but fell behind, missing 10 consecutive shots at one stretch, and finishing 6-for-33 (18.2%) from the floor in the first half.
Inside forces Jonquel Jones and Caira Washington each have two fouls. Danni Jackson leads GW with 11 points, while all 8 of Hannah Schaible's points have come at the free throw line. She's helped keep her team alive with drives and offensive rebounds, extending possessions.
Ally Malott has continued her strong play from yesterday's second half against VCU, leading the top-seeded Flyers with 12 points and 7 rebounds, despite tweaking her ankle with 3:42 to play. She left briefly, but did return before the half. A-10 Player of the Year Andrea Hoover has 9.
Dayton lost in the semis of last year's tournament after an undefeated regular season. They're 20 minutes away from clearing that hurdle, and punching a ticket to Sunday's title game.
The Colonials matched Dayton briefly point for point in the opening three minutes, but fell behind, missing 10 consecutive shots at one stretch, and finishing 6-for-33 (18.2%) from the floor in the first half.
Inside forces Jonquel Jones and Caira Washington each have two fouls. Danni Jackson leads GW with 11 points, while all 8 of Hannah Schaible's points have come at the free throw line. She's helped keep her team alive with drives and offensive rebounds, extending possessions.
Ally Malott has continued her strong play from yesterday's second half against VCU, leading the top-seeded Flyers with 12 points and 7 rebounds, despite tweaking her ankle with 3:42 to play. She left briefly, but did return before the half. A-10 Player of the Year Andrea Hoover has 9.
Dayton lost in the semis of last year's tournament after an undefeated regular season. They're 20 minutes away from clearing that hurdle, and punching a ticket to Sunday's title game.
IT'S SEMIFINAL SATURDAY!!
The top four seeds have survived, some literally, to fight today for a berth in the 2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament Championship Game.
Game one at just after 11AM ET features two-time defending regular season champion, and #1 seed, Dayton, who trailed VCU for 39 minutes yesterday, leading in the first minute and the final seconds for a 62-61 win. They must face the last team to beat them, #4 seed George Washington. The Colonials knocked off the Flyers 88-79 a week ago today in the regular season finale for both teams.
Look for Jonquel Jones to have a busy day down low for GW. The Colonials' leading scorer at 15.3 points per game will have to deal with the "Tall Trees of Dayton", as the Flyers rotate three players at 6'3" and taller, plus have two more on the bench at the ready.
One of them, Ally Malott, had a monster second half Friday sparking the Flyers' comeback, coupled with the outside floor general work of freshman guard Celeste Edwards.
Then, at approximately 1:30, the #2 and #3 seeds will do battle as St. Bonaventure takes on Fordham. Both teams are coming off grinding, low-scoring victories, as the Bonnies eliminated La Salle 54-42 while the Rams outlasted the Duquesne Dukes, 45-41.
In their lone meeting of the season, St. Bonaventure defeated Fordham 74-67 in Olean, New York five weeks ago on February 1st.
NOTE: Games can be seen LIVE on CBS Sports Network, FiOS 94, Comcast 854 (HD), DirecTV 221.
Game one at just after 11AM ET features two-time defending regular season champion, and #1 seed, Dayton, who trailed VCU for 39 minutes yesterday, leading in the first minute and the final seconds for a 62-61 win. They must face the last team to beat them, #4 seed George Washington. The Colonials knocked off the Flyers 88-79 a week ago today in the regular season finale for both teams.
Look for Jonquel Jones to have a busy day down low for GW. The Colonials' leading scorer at 15.3 points per game will have to deal with the "Tall Trees of Dayton", as the Flyers rotate three players at 6'3" and taller, plus have two more on the bench at the ready.
One of them, Ally Malott, had a monster second half Friday sparking the Flyers' comeback, coupled with the outside floor general work of freshman guard Celeste Edwards.
Then, at approximately 1:30, the #2 and #3 seeds will do battle as St. Bonaventure takes on Fordham. Both teams are coming off grinding, low-scoring victories, as the Bonnies eliminated La Salle 54-42 while the Rams outlasted the Duquesne Dukes, 45-41.
In their lone meeting of the season, St. Bonaventure defeated Fordham 74-67 in Olean, New York five weeks ago on February 1st.
NOTE: Games can be seen LIVE on CBS Sports Network, FiOS 94, Comcast 854 (HD), DirecTV 221.
Friday, March 7, 2014
SEMIFINAL SATURDAY SET....
SEMIFINALS:
#1 Dayton vs. #4 George Washington, 11AM
#2 St. Bonaventure vs. #3 Fordham, 1:30PM
Tickets available at the Richmond Coliseum box office! Games can be seen on CBS Sports Network.
#1 Dayton vs. #4 George Washington, 11AM
#2 St. Bonaventure vs. #3 Fordham, 1:30PM
Tickets available at the Richmond Coliseum box office! Games can be seen on CBS Sports Network.
QUARTERFINALS FINAL: Fordham moves on....
The Rams survive a low-scoring affair to eliminate #6 seed Duquesne 45-41 in the last quarterfinal of the Atlantic 10 Women's Tournament.
QUARTERFINAL FINAL: #2 St. Bonaventure 54, #7 La Salle 42
It took both teams awhile to get started offensively, and it took nearly the entire game for the second-seed to pull away from the seventh.
A 9-0 run in the latter stages of the second half turned a four-point margin into a 13-point bulge, and the Bonnies go on to defeat the Explorers 54-42.
St. Bonaventure is now 23-9, and advance to play the winner of the last quarterfinal between Fordham and Duquesne in the 1:30pm Tournament Semifinal on Saturday.
A 9-0 run in the latter stages of the second half turned a four-point margin into a 13-point bulge, and the Bonnies go on to defeat the Explorers 54-42.
St. Bonaventure is now 23-9, and advance to play the winner of the last quarterfinal between Fordham and Duquesne in the 1:30pm Tournament Semifinal on Saturday.
QUARTERFINAL: #4 George Washington 82, #5 St. Joseph's 79 (OT)
Jonquel Jones had 30 points, 6 in overtime, and 16 rebounds, while Danni Jackson added 17 and picked up the slack after an injury to Chakecia Miller in the second half, and George Washington survived an almost buzzer-beater from Erin Shields and two Shields' tries to tie the game at the end of overtime as the Colonials defeated the defending tournament champions, 82-79.
The Colonials rode timely shooting, in both the second half and in the extra session, including key three-pointers from Megan Nipe, who also had 17, to withstand numerous attempts by the Hawks to complete the comeback. After being down by three at intermission, George Washington led much of the second half.
"We stole games at each other's places, so we knew this would be a tooth and nail game. I'm so proud of how our team responded. It was about responding: by a stop, by a rebound, at the free throw line," said George Washington head coach Jonathan Tsipis. "And overtime was played as we do; as a team we like to go at a faster pace."
The Colonials scored 19 in the extra session, as both teams found a new level of offense and energy in the extra session. A missed free throw by the Hawks with 9.8 seconds left seemed to doom their fate, but they battled for an offensive rebound and called timeout to set up a try for double overtime. Shields, whose 42-footer to win at the end of regulation bounced off the back of the rim, missed her first shot. Her second, coming just after the horn began to sound, was short.
"I couldn't ask for more from our team today. It came down to a couple of possessions," St. Joseph's head coach Cindy Griffin said.
When asked about her team's NCAA Tournament chances, she said she doesn't believe an overtime loss in a tournament quarterfinal against the caliber of opponent as George Washington should hurt you, but she knows it's also now out of the team's hands.
"With a strength of schedule at #20 and an RPI at #17, I think we have a great resume," Griffin noted.
St. Joseph's falls to 21-9 overall after finishing 10-6 in league play. They have non-conference wins over the likes of Temple and Villanova in Big 5 play. This morning, ESPN W's Bracketology had the Hawks as a #9 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
George Washington, now 21-9, face top-seeded Dayton in Saturday's first semifinal at 11am. The Colonials beat Dayton, handing them just their second regular season A-10 loss in two years, last Saturday 88-79.
The Colonials rode timely shooting, in both the second half and in the extra session, including key three-pointers from Megan Nipe, who also had 17, to withstand numerous attempts by the Hawks to complete the comeback. After being down by three at intermission, George Washington led much of the second half.
"We stole games at each other's places, so we knew this would be a tooth and nail game. I'm so proud of how our team responded. It was about responding: by a stop, by a rebound, at the free throw line," said George Washington head coach Jonathan Tsipis. "And overtime was played as we do; as a team we like to go at a faster pace."
The Colonials scored 19 in the extra session, as both teams found a new level of offense and energy in the extra session. A missed free throw by the Hawks with 9.8 seconds left seemed to doom their fate, but they battled for an offensive rebound and called timeout to set up a try for double overtime. Shields, whose 42-footer to win at the end of regulation bounced off the back of the rim, missed her first shot. Her second, coming just after the horn began to sound, was short.
"I couldn't ask for more from our team today. It came down to a couple of possessions," St. Joseph's head coach Cindy Griffin said.
When asked about her team's NCAA Tournament chances, she said she doesn't believe an overtime loss in a tournament quarterfinal against the caliber of opponent as George Washington should hurt you, but she knows it's also now out of the team's hands.
"With a strength of schedule at #20 and an RPI at #17, I think we have a great resume," Griffin noted.
St. Joseph's falls to 21-9 overall after finishing 10-6 in league play. They have non-conference wins over the likes of Temple and Villanova in Big 5 play. This morning, ESPN W's Bracketology had the Hawks as a #9 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
George Washington, now 21-9, face top-seeded Dayton in Saturday's first semifinal at 11am. The Colonials beat Dayton, handing them just their second regular season A-10 loss in two years, last Saturday 88-79.
QUARTERFINAL UPDATE: #5 St. Joseph's 33, #4 George Washington 30, HALF
The Hawks, battle tested as defending A-10 Tournament Champions, go on an 18-9 in the final 8:13 of the first half to take the intermission lead on an Erin Shields' three-pointer in the final 20 seconds, St. Joseph's first lead since the 15:19 mark.
Jonquel Jones leads all scorers with 14 points for George Washington, who beat top-seeded Dayton in their last game of the regular season last weekend, 88-79.
The winner of this game gets the Flyers, 62-61 survivors over #8 VCU in the opening quarterfinal, in the first semifinal Saturday at 11am.
NOTE: Semifinals at 11am and 1:30pm Saturday will air on CBS Sports Network (FiOS 94, Comcast HD 854, DirecTV 221, Dish Network 158.
Jonquel Jones leads all scorers with 14 points for George Washington, who beat top-seeded Dayton in their last game of the regular season last weekend, 88-79.
The winner of this game gets the Flyers, 62-61 survivors over #8 VCU in the opening quarterfinal, in the first semifinal Saturday at 11am.
NOTE: Semifinals at 11am and 1:30pm Saturday will air on CBS Sports Network (FiOS 94, Comcast HD 854, DirecTV 221, Dish Network 158.
QUARTERFINALS: SURVIVAL: #1 Dayton 62, #8 VCU 61.....
They led in the first minute, and in the last. And, in the end, that's all that matters.
#8 VCU had the top-seeded Dayton Flyers on the ropes all afternoon, but a steal, followed by a transition basket from freshman Celeste Edwards with six seconds left gave Dayton a 62-61 victory in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament.
Another freshman, VCU's Keira Robinson, was fouled at mid-court with 3.3 seconds left. After making the first, Dayton called timeout. Robinson's second shot veered to the left, landed in the Flyers' hands, and they ran out the clock.
"The timeout really didn't affect me. I should've made it," a dejected Robinson told reporters after the game.
"There were many plays that affected the outcome of the game, not just that one shot. If we make them, we're not in that position to have to make the free throw," noted VCU head coach Marlene Stollings.
Robyn Parks fought through the tall trees of Dayton to score 19 points and grab 16 rebounds. Robinson and Isis Thorpe added 10 each, Thorpe's all coming in the first half.
The Rams started off hot and, at one time, had an 18-point lead at 28-10. Dayton head coach Jim Jabir had seen this before.
"We saw them lose an 18-point lead just yesterday, so I told the team just to be level-headed."
"We just had to keep fighting," said Andrea Hoover, the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year who finished with 15 points, playing the final seven plus minutes with four fouls. "Even when shots wouldn't fall, we trusted in Celeste running the point and in our teammates doing what we needed."
Hoover noted changing her aggressive defensive style while hampered with the fouls, until about two minutes left. Then she resumed her regular style.
Dayton's trapping, especially near mid-court, exposed what Stollings called a "lack of aggressiveness" by her team, not crisply passing or coming to the ball. That was a big part of why Dayton made their way back into the game.
But for a time, it looked like Dayton wouldn't get over the hump. In the final five minutes, there was a two-minute stretch where the Flyers went 3-of-7, missing two chances to tie the game at the line.
"We'll have to play better, play smarter tomorrow. We'll have to defend better tomorrow as well," Jabir said.
Another key for Dayton in the second half was 6' 4" junior forward Ally Malott. 14 of her team-high 19 points came after intermission.
VCU is now 22-9, and hope through the Coliseum following the heartbreaker was that the Rams might continue their season in the WNIT. Whether they do or not, Stollings is upbeat about the future.
"It's full speed ahead for year three, with all the players coming back and the recruiting class we have coming in as we try to become an elite team, a Top 25 team like the men have," Stollings proclaimed.
Dayton entered the day as a #6 seed in ESPN's NCAA Tournament Bracketology. They'll leave it simply breathing a sigh of relief.
(VCU freshman Keira Robinson working on the drive late second half against Dayton...)
(Dayton freshman Celeste Edwards driving during the Flyers' second half comeback...)
#8 VCU had the top-seeded Dayton Flyers on the ropes all afternoon, but a steal, followed by a transition basket from freshman Celeste Edwards with six seconds left gave Dayton a 62-61 victory in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament.
Another freshman, VCU's Keira Robinson, was fouled at mid-court with 3.3 seconds left. After making the first, Dayton called timeout. Robinson's second shot veered to the left, landed in the Flyers' hands, and they ran out the clock.
"The timeout really didn't affect me. I should've made it," a dejected Robinson told reporters after the game.
"There were many plays that affected the outcome of the game, not just that one shot. If we make them, we're not in that position to have to make the free throw," noted VCU head coach Marlene Stollings.
Robyn Parks fought through the tall trees of Dayton to score 19 points and grab 16 rebounds. Robinson and Isis Thorpe added 10 each, Thorpe's all coming in the first half.
The Rams started off hot and, at one time, had an 18-point lead at 28-10. Dayton head coach Jim Jabir had seen this before.
"We saw them lose an 18-point lead just yesterday, so I told the team just to be level-headed."
"We just had to keep fighting," said Andrea Hoover, the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year who finished with 15 points, playing the final seven plus minutes with four fouls. "Even when shots wouldn't fall, we trusted in Celeste running the point and in our teammates doing what we needed."
Hoover noted changing her aggressive defensive style while hampered with the fouls, until about two minutes left. Then she resumed her regular style.
Dayton's trapping, especially near mid-court, exposed what Stollings called a "lack of aggressiveness" by her team, not crisply passing or coming to the ball. That was a big part of why Dayton made their way back into the game.
But for a time, it looked like Dayton wouldn't get over the hump. In the final five minutes, there was a two-minute stretch where the Flyers went 3-of-7, missing two chances to tie the game at the line.
"We'll have to play better, play smarter tomorrow. We'll have to defend better tomorrow as well," Jabir said.
Another key for Dayton in the second half was 6' 4" junior forward Ally Malott. 14 of her team-high 19 points came after intermission.
VCU is now 22-9, and hope through the Coliseum following the heartbreaker was that the Rams might continue their season in the WNIT. Whether they do or not, Stollings is upbeat about the future.
"It's full speed ahead for year three, with all the players coming back and the recruiting class we have coming in as we try to become an elite team, a Top 25 team like the men have," Stollings proclaimed.
Dayton entered the day as a #6 seed in ESPN's NCAA Tournament Bracketology. They'll leave it simply breathing a sigh of relief.
UPSET ALERT: #8 VCU leads #1 Dayton Start of Second Half...
Behind Isis Thorpe's 10 points and early hot three-point shooting, VCU has built a 36-24 lead on Dayton as the second half begins in the first quarterfinal of the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament at the Richmond Coliseum...
Thursday, March 6, 2014
FIRST ROUND: Duquesne survives Rhode Island....
"It wasn't the prettiest game of basketball ever played," said Duquesne head coach Dan Burt. "But I thought we were the better team."
The Dukes defeated Rhode Island 61-53 to advance in the final first round game of the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament Thursday night, as three players were in double figures, led by Olivia Bresnahan with 14.
It was Bresnahan that helped turn the game around for the Dukes, who spent much of the first half in a lethargic state, having trouble getting their inside game going due to Rhode Island, as Burt put it, "mucking up" the middle. While Olivia was only three-of-ten from the field, one of the baskets came during a 10-0 run in the final 3:24 of the half to turn a 27-21 deficit to a 31-27 lead.
"We were only 11 of 13 from the line, but they were all important," Burt added. "Liv went 8 of 9 at the line and they were very important points."
"Credit to Duquesne," said Rhode Island head coach Cathy Inglese. "But I was very, very proud of my team. They never quit. They didn't come here satisfied to be an 11 seed. I'm glad they're devastated, they're disappointed."
Senior guard Kerry Wallack was also proud, being that tonight's game was the first appearance for Rhode Island in the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Previous tournaments did not have every team in the conference participating.
"For us to be a part of playing in the tournament, as a senior, that's such a big honor," Wallack said. Kerry had nine points. Sydney Lewis led Rhode Island (7-23) with 11 points.
Rhode Island was picked by A-10 coaches to finish #13 (last) in the conference. They finished 11th. They'll lose just Wallack from the active roster to graduation (fellow senior Emilie Cloutier was out for the season with an injury.) Like St. Louis, George Mason and UMass, the Rams will work hard in the off-season to try to return to the Richmond Coliseum in 2015 as the higher seed in the First Round, rather than the lower.
It's all a part of growth in the Atlantic 10.
As for Duquesne, now 19-11? They face Fordham in the 4th and final quarterfinal at 7:30pm Friday.
The Dukes defeated Rhode Island 61-53 to advance in the final first round game of the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament Thursday night, as three players were in double figures, led by Olivia Bresnahan with 14.
It was Bresnahan that helped turn the game around for the Dukes, who spent much of the first half in a lethargic state, having trouble getting their inside game going due to Rhode Island, as Burt put it, "mucking up" the middle. While Olivia was only three-of-ten from the field, one of the baskets came during a 10-0 run in the final 3:24 of the half to turn a 27-21 deficit to a 31-27 lead.
"We were only 11 of 13 from the line, but they were all important," Burt added. "Liv went 8 of 9 at the line and they were very important points."
"Credit to Duquesne," said Rhode Island head coach Cathy Inglese. "But I was very, very proud of my team. They never quit. They didn't come here satisfied to be an 11 seed. I'm glad they're devastated, they're disappointed."
Senior guard Kerry Wallack was also proud, being that tonight's game was the first appearance for Rhode Island in the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Previous tournaments did not have every team in the conference participating.
"For us to be a part of playing in the tournament, as a senior, that's such a big honor," Wallack said. Kerry had nine points. Sydney Lewis led Rhode Island (7-23) with 11 points.
Rhode Island was picked by A-10 coaches to finish #13 (last) in the conference. They finished 11th. They'll lose just Wallack from the active roster to graduation (fellow senior Emilie Cloutier was out for the season with an injury.) Like St. Louis, George Mason and UMass, the Rams will work hard in the off-season to try to return to the Richmond Coliseum in 2015 as the higher seed in the First Round, rather than the lower.
It's all a part of growth in the Atlantic 10.
As for Duquesne, now 19-11? They face Fordham in the 4th and final quarterfinal at 7:30pm Friday.
FIRST ROUND: #6 Duquesne 61, #11 Rhode Island 53....and Quarterfinal Lineup!
The brackets hold to form after Day 2 of the 2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament.
QUARTERFINAL FRIDAY:
#1 Dayton vs. #8 VCU, 12pm
#4 George Washington vs. #5 St. Joseph's, 2:30pm
#2 St. Bonaventure vs. #7 La Salle, 5pm
#3 Fordham vs. #6 Duquesne, 7:30pm
QUARTERFINAL FRIDAY:
#1 Dayton vs. #8 VCU, 12pm
#4 George Washington vs. #5 St. Joseph's, 2:30pm
#2 St. Bonaventure vs. #7 La Salle, 5pm
#3 Fordham vs. #6 Duquesne, 7:30pm
FIRST ROUND UPDATE: #6 Duquesne 31, #11 Rhode Island 27, HALF
The Dukes looked like two different teams in the first half. Struggling to assert themselves inside and missing some outside shots by wide margins, the upset-minded Rams took an 18-11 edge midway through the first half.
But someone woke up Duquesne in the final three and a half minutes, beginning with four points in four seconds after a basket, steal on the inbounds pass, and subsquent basket to tie the game at 27. That came in the midst of a 10-0 Dukes run to end the half, giving them the 31-27 lead.
Rhode Island's earlier open lanes to the basket became glued shut, as the Rams missed their last three shots of the half, unable to counteract the run. While April Robinson and Raegan Moore lead Duquesne with 8 points each, it was the play of Olivia Bresnahan during the run that gave the Dukes the much-needed spark.
Three Rhode Island players have six points: Tayra Melendez, Kerry Wallack and Sydney Lewis, who has two personal fouls.
These two teams played last Saturday in Rhode Island, the Rams falling by just three. But what looked to be a trap game early for an out-of-sync Dukes squad is now firmly in their grasp with 20 minutes to play.
The winner meets #3 seeded Fordham tomorrow night in the 7:30pm quarterfinal at the Richmond Coliseum.
But someone woke up Duquesne in the final three and a half minutes, beginning with four points in four seconds after a basket, steal on the inbounds pass, and subsquent basket to tie the game at 27. That came in the midst of a 10-0 Dukes run to end the half, giving them the 31-27 lead.
Rhode Island's earlier open lanes to the basket became glued shut, as the Rams missed their last three shots of the half, unable to counteract the run. While April Robinson and Raegan Moore lead Duquesne with 8 points each, it was the play of Olivia Bresnahan during the run that gave the Dukes the much-needed spark.
Three Rhode Island players have six points: Tayra Melendez, Kerry Wallack and Sydney Lewis, who has two personal fouls.
These two teams played last Saturday in Rhode Island, the Rams falling by just three. But what looked to be a trap game early for an out-of-sync Dukes squad is now firmly in their grasp with 20 minutes to play.
The winner meets #3 seeded Fordham tomorrow night in the 7:30pm quarterfinal at the Richmond Coliseum.
FIRST ROUND FINAL: #7 La Salle 65, #10 St. Louis 56....
The Explorers got revenge for a 53-43 loss in St. Louis during the regular season, limiting the Billikens trips to the free throw line as St. Louis struggled all night from the floor, with a 65-56 victory in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament.
Micahya Owens scored 23 points, Alicia Cropper added 20 while Leeza Burdgess had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds as the Explorers advanced to take on #2 St. Bonaventure in the Friday 5pm quarterfinal.
Cropper quickly responded when asked about the difference in the two games between the squads.
"Free throws. We gave up too many in that game," Cropper noted. St. Louis went 20-for-31 at the line in the regular season win, a game where both teams shot under 30 percent.
Tonight, the Billikens remained cold, shooting 33.8% while La Salle shot 40 percent.
"I thought we'd shoot better, but we didn't," said St. Louis head coach Kim Stone. "We just didn't have it today. But I told the girls that one game does not make a season, and we are a team on the rise." The Billikens (12-18), only lose one player to graduation and bring in one of the most highly touted recruiting classes in St. Louis history.
"It feels like December to be honest," Stone noted. "Many teams circle the calendar this time of year and say 'we're done'. This team didn't. They're ready to go to practice tomorrow. I love coaching this team."
The Explorers split their regular season meetings with the Bonnies, including a six-point win over St. Bonaventure last Saturday in their regular season finale.
Micahya Owens scored 23 points, Alicia Cropper added 20 while Leeza Burdgess had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds as the Explorers advanced to take on #2 St. Bonaventure in the Friday 5pm quarterfinal.
Cropper quickly responded when asked about the difference in the two games between the squads.
"Free throws. We gave up too many in that game," Cropper noted. St. Louis went 20-for-31 at the line in the regular season win, a game where both teams shot under 30 percent.
Tonight, the Billikens remained cold, shooting 33.8% while La Salle shot 40 percent.
"I thought we'd shoot better, but we didn't," said St. Louis head coach Kim Stone. "We just didn't have it today. But I told the girls that one game does not make a season, and we are a team on the rise." The Billikens (12-18), only lose one player to graduation and bring in one of the most highly touted recruiting classes in St. Louis history.
"It feels like December to be honest," Stone noted. "Many teams circle the calendar this time of year and say 'we're done'. This team didn't. They're ready to go to practice tomorrow. I love coaching this team."
The Explorers split their regular season meetings with the Bonnies, including a six-point win over St. Bonaventure last Saturday in their regular season finale.
FIRST ROUND UPDATE: #7 La Salle 35, #10 St. Louis 24 at Half...
Micahya Owens, just a freshman, equals her season average with 13 points by intermission to help the Explorers takes an 11-point lead. Leading scorer Alicia Cropper has 9 for La Salle, while Denisha Womack leads St. Louis with 7 points.
(Jasmine Alston with 7 points so far for the La Salle Explorers in First Round action...)
The winner takes on #2 St. Bonaventure in a quarterfinal matchup at 5pm Friday at the Richmond Coliseum as the 2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Tournament continues!
The winner takes on #2 St. Bonaventure in a quarterfinal matchup at 5pm Friday at the Richmond Coliseum as the 2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Tournament continues!
FIRST ROUND FINAL: #5 St. Joseph's 89, #12 George Mason 55....
One team rode balance to victory, while the other simply ran out of gas.
Defending Atlantic 10 Tournament champion St. Joseph's, who entered as the #5 seed after just missing out on a bye, cruised past a beleaguered George Mason squad who was pushed to overtime last night by UMass, 89-55. The Hawks use a very balanced scoring attack, with five players in double figures, but none over 15 points (Kelsey Berger) as 11 players scored for St. Joseph's.
"We placed a point of emphasis that we needed balance in scoring if we were going to make a run in this tournament," St. Joseph's head coach Cindy Griffin said. Griffin led the Hawks to their first A-10 Tournament title in 14 years in 2013.
Natasha Cloud, the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, took care of Taylor Brown, the George Mason guard who nearly broke the tournament scoring record with 35 in the UMass win Wednesday night, holding her to 5-of-18 shooting, and 15 points overall.
"We try to contest every shot, we try to be there in the gaps as well," Cloud explained, noting her teammates were just as key to holding down Brown, and the rest of the Patriots.
Janaa Pickard, in her final game as a Patriot, scored all 15 of her points after intermission, when the game was well in doubt, but she passed an important milestone, scoring her 1,000th career point.
"That was a goal of ours late in the game. You'd think we had won the World Series when Janaa got her 1,000th point," George Mason head coach Nyla Milleson said.
St. Joseph's (22-8) next plays #4 George Washington in a quarterfinal Friday at 2:30pm. The two teams split their two meetings back in January, each winning on the road.
For Milleson and the Patriots, an 8-23 campaign comes to an end with much reflection, but also much pride and hope. The head coach emphasized a few points for the Mason faithful.
"First of all, I want to say how proud we are of being a part of the Atlantic 10 Conference," Milleson said. "We are extremely excited of what lies ahead. We understand the prestige of this league."
Milleson also praised her three seniors: Pickard, Kyana Jacobs, and Cierra Strickland.
"We have to recruit more and better, and we will. We must teach, teach, teach individual skills. In years to come, as we improve, these seniors, who could have gone through the motions, but didn't, they can take credit for helping to build what we will have down the road."
The Patriots will begin their second season in the Atlantic 10 in 2014-15.
(Janaa Pickard scored her 1,000th career point for George Mason in her final game...)
Defending Atlantic 10 Tournament champion St. Joseph's, who entered as the #5 seed after just missing out on a bye, cruised past a beleaguered George Mason squad who was pushed to overtime last night by UMass, 89-55. The Hawks use a very balanced scoring attack, with five players in double figures, but none over 15 points (Kelsey Berger) as 11 players scored for St. Joseph's.
"We placed a point of emphasis that we needed balance in scoring if we were going to make a run in this tournament," St. Joseph's head coach Cindy Griffin said. Griffin led the Hawks to their first A-10 Tournament title in 14 years in 2013.
Natasha Cloud, the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, took care of Taylor Brown, the George Mason guard who nearly broke the tournament scoring record with 35 in the UMass win Wednesday night, holding her to 5-of-18 shooting, and 15 points overall.
"We try to contest every shot, we try to be there in the gaps as well," Cloud explained, noting her teammates were just as key to holding down Brown, and the rest of the Patriots.
Janaa Pickard, in her final game as a Patriot, scored all 15 of her points after intermission, when the game was well in doubt, but she passed an important milestone, scoring her 1,000th career point.
"That was a goal of ours late in the game. You'd think we had won the World Series when Janaa got her 1,000th point," George Mason head coach Nyla Milleson said.
St. Joseph's (22-8) next plays #4 George Washington in a quarterfinal Friday at 2:30pm. The two teams split their two meetings back in January, each winning on the road.
For Milleson and the Patriots, an 8-23 campaign comes to an end with much reflection, but also much pride and hope. The head coach emphasized a few points for the Mason faithful.
"First of all, I want to say how proud we are of being a part of the Atlantic 10 Conference," Milleson said. "We are extremely excited of what lies ahead. We understand the prestige of this league."
Milleson also praised her three seniors: Pickard, Kyana Jacobs, and Cierra Strickland.
"We have to recruit more and better, and we will. We must teach, teach, teach individual skills. In years to come, as we improve, these seniors, who could have gone through the motions, but didn't, they can take credit for helping to build what we will have down the road."
The Patriots will begin their second season in the Atlantic 10 in 2014-15.
FIRST ROUND UPDATE: #5 St. Joseph's 38, #12 George Mason 25 (HALF)
Taylor Brown had a career-high 35 points for George Mason in their overtime victory last night over UMass in the opening game of the 2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Tournament, and is doing all she can to keep her Patriots alive in First Round action.
Brown leads with 12 points, but cold shooting has given St. Joseph's, defending tournament champions, the opportunity to open a 38-25 halftime margin. The lead has been at or more than ten for most of the final 12 minutes of game play, as Ilze Gotfrida leads the Hawks with 9 points in a balanced scoring attack. All seven of their players who have seen action have at least three points.
The Hawks are 43.3% from the field, while George Mason began the game 3-of-16, finishing at 26.5% (9-of-34).
The winner will face #4 George Washington in a 2:30pm Quarterfinal tomorrow at the Richmond Coliseum!
Get tickets to the Tournament, including tomorrow's 12Noon Quarterfinal showdown between #VCU and the top-seeded Dayton Flyers, by CLICKING HERE!
(Taylor Brown (#31) leads George Mason with 12 points...)
(Erin Shields, Second Team All-Atlantic 10, talks to St. Joseph's HC Cindy Griffin...)
Brown leads with 12 points, but cold shooting has given St. Joseph's, defending tournament champions, the opportunity to open a 38-25 halftime margin. The lead has been at or more than ten for most of the final 12 minutes of game play, as Ilze Gotfrida leads the Hawks with 9 points in a balanced scoring attack. All seven of their players who have seen action have at least three points.
The Hawks are 43.3% from the field, while George Mason began the game 3-of-16, finishing at 26.5% (9-of-34).
The winner will face #4 George Washington in a 2:30pm Quarterfinal tomorrow at the Richmond Coliseum!
Get tickets to the Tournament, including tomorrow's 12Noon Quarterfinal showdown between #VCU and the top-seeded Dayton Flyers, by CLICKING HERE!
FIRST ROUND FINAL: #8 VCU 61, #9 Richmond 52....
When taking off his Spiders hat and "putting on his A-10 hat", as he put it, Richmond head coach Michael Shafer summed up the feelings of many concerning today's first round noon matchup between the two "home" teams of the 2014 Atlantic 10 Tournament.
"I just wish this could have been either on Sunday or in the evening, or have us in opposite brackets so more fans, so girls who play in the area, could come and see this," Shafer said.
What most missed was a sterling opening 20 minutes of VCU defense, followed by a gutsy Richmond comeback that fell short when the Spiders went cold at the worst possible time, as the Rams took a 61-52 decision over their cross-town rivals, ending the Richmond Spiders' season at 14-16.
Robyn Parks, who led VCU (22-8) with 17 points, took the fighter's mentality to the floor at the Coliseum against a team who defeated her squad just eight days ago, 73-60.
"We had to get through this to live to fight another day," Parks noted.
Helping her fight was guard Jessica Pellechio, making the most of her 22 minutes, going 4-of-6 from the field, 4-of-5 from beyond the arc to be VCU's second leading scorer at 14 points.
"As a shooter, I always look for shots, but today it was my teammates who found me. I don't just try to jack up shots, but when they're available, I'll take them," Pellechio explained.
Isis Thorpe had a strong first half offensively with 10 points total. That could be said of VCU as a whole, as a 40-25 lead at intermission held firm for the first few minutes of the second half before Richmond, led by senior Kristina King, began to chip away.
A foul and technical foul on Melanie Royster gave the Spiders the chance to cut a 13-point lead to 9. They were 2-of-4 at the line. The Spiders left more points at the line in the second half during their second half comeback, but more importantly, they went cold in the final four minutes.
Parks missed a jumper with 3:26 to go with the Rams up 56-51. King missed a baseline shot. Another Rams miss at 2:00 left was followed by a Spiders miss. The score seemed to hang at 56-51 forever, for both teams. VCU got a basket underneath from Camille Calhoun to up the lead, after a Spider free throw, to 58-52. Free throws by the Rams ended the game, and the Spiders season.
King, in her final game as a Spider (along with fellow seniors Amber Nichols and Becca Wann of Cosby High School), was 9-of-18 from the field, scoring 24 points. Freshman Janelle Hubbard had 13, but no other Richmond player had more than six.
Richmond now enters the off-season with the bulk of their team returning, plus freshman sensation Olivia Healy, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in late January, and Glen Allen High recruit Alicia Hudalla.
VCU rests up, and gets ready for two-time league regular season champion Dayton in the 12Noon Quarterfinal on Friday.
"We feel confident about how we match up with Dayton," VCU head coach Marlene Stollings said. "They're #1 in scoring, we're #2. We played them to four points at their place. We look forward to facing them on a neutral floor and see what we can do."
Dayton head coach Jim Jabir took in the entire game at courtside on press row. The Flyers will be ready, too. It could be a special opening to Quarterfinal Friday at the Coliseum.
(Kristina King with a game-high 24 for Richmond, whose season ended at the hands of VCU...)
"I just wish this could have been either on Sunday or in the evening, or have us in opposite brackets so more fans, so girls who play in the area, could come and see this," Shafer said.
What most missed was a sterling opening 20 minutes of VCU defense, followed by a gutsy Richmond comeback that fell short when the Spiders went cold at the worst possible time, as the Rams took a 61-52 decision over their cross-town rivals, ending the Richmond Spiders' season at 14-16.
Robyn Parks, who led VCU (22-8) with 17 points, took the fighter's mentality to the floor at the Coliseum against a team who defeated her squad just eight days ago, 73-60.
"We had to get through this to live to fight another day," Parks noted.
Helping her fight was guard Jessica Pellechio, making the most of her 22 minutes, going 4-of-6 from the field, 4-of-5 from beyond the arc to be VCU's second leading scorer at 14 points.
"As a shooter, I always look for shots, but today it was my teammates who found me. I don't just try to jack up shots, but when they're available, I'll take them," Pellechio explained.
Isis Thorpe had a strong first half offensively with 10 points total. That could be said of VCU as a whole, as a 40-25 lead at intermission held firm for the first few minutes of the second half before Richmond, led by senior Kristina King, began to chip away.
A foul and technical foul on Melanie Royster gave the Spiders the chance to cut a 13-point lead to 9. They were 2-of-4 at the line. The Spiders left more points at the line in the second half during their second half comeback, but more importantly, they went cold in the final four minutes.
Parks missed a jumper with 3:26 to go with the Rams up 56-51. King missed a baseline shot. Another Rams miss at 2:00 left was followed by a Spiders miss. The score seemed to hang at 56-51 forever, for both teams. VCU got a basket underneath from Camille Calhoun to up the lead, after a Spider free throw, to 58-52. Free throws by the Rams ended the game, and the Spiders season.
King, in her final game as a Spider (along with fellow seniors Amber Nichols and Becca Wann of Cosby High School), was 9-of-18 from the field, scoring 24 points. Freshman Janelle Hubbard had 13, but no other Richmond player had more than six.
Richmond now enters the off-season with the bulk of their team returning, plus freshman sensation Olivia Healy, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in late January, and Glen Allen High recruit Alicia Hudalla.
VCU rests up, and gets ready for two-time league regular season champion Dayton in the 12Noon Quarterfinal on Friday.
"We feel confident about how we match up with Dayton," VCU head coach Marlene Stollings said. "They're #1 in scoring, we're #2. We played them to four points at their place. We look forward to facing them on a neutral floor and see what we can do."
Dayton head coach Jim Jabir took in the entire game at courtside on press row. The Flyers will be ready, too. It could be a special opening to Quarterfinal Friday at the Coliseum.
FIRST ROUND UPDATE: VCU 40, Richmond 25 At Half....
In a complete turnaround, so far, from their previous meeting eight nights ago, the VCU Rams have all the energy, the momentum, and due to a huge improvement in interior defense, the lead after 20 minutes in the First Round of the 2014 Atlantic 10 Tournament.
Robyn Parks has 11 points, but it's Isis Thorpe's 10 points and two key treys midway through the half from Jessica Pellechio, that have helped the Rams offensively, shooting 48 percent from the field, and taking twice as many free throws as Richmond.
The Spiders, who found copious passing lanes inside the VCU defense last week, are being denied at every turn. Four players, including Genevieve Okoro and Lauren Tolson, have two fouls. Okoro didn't score her first point until a free throw late in the first half. She has two points total. In the 73-60 win at the Robins Center February 26th, she went for 17 points and 16 rebounds.
Second half to come! Wrap-up with quotes from players and coaches coming after the game! REAL-TIME score updates on our Twitter feeds, @henricosports and @cfieldsports!
Robyn Parks has 11 points, but it's Isis Thorpe's 10 points and two key treys midway through the half from Jessica Pellechio, that have helped the Rams offensively, shooting 48 percent from the field, and taking twice as many free throws as Richmond.
The Spiders, who found copious passing lanes inside the VCU defense last week, are being denied at every turn. Four players, including Genevieve Okoro and Lauren Tolson, have two fouls. Okoro didn't score her first point until a free throw late in the first half. She has two points total. In the 73-60 win at the Robins Center February 26th, she went for 17 points and 16 rebounds.
Second half to come! Wrap-up with quotes from players and coaches coming after the game! REAL-TIME score updates on our Twitter feeds, @henricosports and @cfieldsports!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
OPENING ROUND: Record Night for Brown, Jacobs Leads Patriots in OT...
"We made it to tomorrow!!"
It's a mantra that will be heard by coaches and players all through the weekend at the 2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship. But the first coach to get to say it is George Mason's Nyla Milleson.
After telling her team's radio crew she aged 15 years tonight, Milleson addressed the media after George Mason's come-from-behind 85-75 win over UMass in the Opening Round game of the Tournament at the Richmond Coliseum.
"We've been in a lot of close games this year, and unfortunately we haven't been able to win many of those," Milleson noted. "But tonight they showed the pride and the heart of this basketball team."
The Patriots (8-22) were led by Taylor Brown, the redshirt sophomore who had 18 of her career-high 35 points in the first half. The 35 points were one shy of the all-time A-10 Tournament record held by Tara Boothe of former league member Xavier, who had 36 against St. Joseph's eight years ago.
Teammate Janaa Pickard followed with 18 points, going five-for-six at the free throw line in the overtime period, while Kyana Jacobs added 14, and two of the most important points, when she was fouled with 7.3 seconds remaining. What did she think about when she approached the line?
"That we weren't going to lose this game. We've worked so hard every day. The numbers don't show it, but no matter what has happened in the game before, we've always come back to work harder and harder," Jacobs noted passionately. "Today, we all wanted to show we can win games coming down the stretch."
UMass certainly gave them the opportunity, pulling out to a shocking 15-0 in the first 4:18 before the Patriots even scored. Jasmine Harris lit up George Mason, hitting three early treys en route to 19 first-half points. But though she finished with 26, Harris faltered down the stretch, hitting just two of her last 13 shots after starting the game 8-for-12.
The Minutewomen's achilles heel, in the end, was shooting that was as cold in the waning minutes as it was fiery at the outset. UMass shot 64 percent in the first 8 1/2 minutes to take a 23-8 lead. By halftime, when the Patriots had fought back to knot it up at 41-41, they were still shooting at a 60 percent clip. The second half, though, was another story.
Even having a lead much of the second stanza, by as many as nine points, UMass shot 28 percent from the floor. In the final 9:43 of regulation, they were 2-of-15 from the field, opening the door for another Mason comeback, and, in the end, free basketball.
Still, in defeat, at the end of a very difficult season, UMass head coach Sharon Dawley was upbeat about her team, their performance, and their future.
"Even without the "W", I told the ladies in the locker room I couldn't be prouder of them," Dawley said. "We don't have the wins in the season that we want, but not one day was there any quit. We gave a great effort today, it came down to who was making more shots at the end of the game, and we weren't."
The Minutewomen's three leading scorers, Harris, Rashida Timbilla with 13, and Nola Henry with 11, are sophomore, sophomore, sophomore. The team loses exactly one to graduation in forward Kiara Bomben. The Australian scored five points and grabbed five rebounds in her final college game. So, there are major building blocks in Amherst, and Dawley knows it.
"We had sophomores play great basketball, particularly three that looked like leaders out there," Dawley explained. "Because of this effort, we have a better taste in our mouth going into spring workouts."
The Minutewomen conclude the season with a 4-27 record, 1-16 in Atlantic 10 play.
George Mason sleeps quickly at their hotel, having to come right back to the Coliseum to face defending tournament champion, and #5 seed, St. Joseph's in Game 2 of our First Round Quadruple-header Thursday at 2:30.
The lineup for Thursday:
12NOON: #8 VCU vs. #9 Richmond
2:30PM: #5 St. Joseph's vs. #12 George Mason
5PM: #7 La Salle vs. #10 St. Louis
7:30PM: #6 Duquesne vs. #11 Rhode Island
The top four seeds enjoy a bye tomorrow: #1 Dayton, #2 St. Bonaventure, #3 Fordham and #4 George Washington.
It's a mantra that will be heard by coaches and players all through the weekend at the 2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship. But the first coach to get to say it is George Mason's Nyla Milleson.
After telling her team's radio crew she aged 15 years tonight, Milleson addressed the media after George Mason's come-from-behind 85-75 win over UMass in the Opening Round game of the Tournament at the Richmond Coliseum.
"We've been in a lot of close games this year, and unfortunately we haven't been able to win many of those," Milleson noted. "But tonight they showed the pride and the heart of this basketball team."
The Patriots (8-22) were led by Taylor Brown, the redshirt sophomore who had 18 of her career-high 35 points in the first half. The 35 points were one shy of the all-time A-10 Tournament record held by Tara Boothe of former league member Xavier, who had 36 against St. Joseph's eight years ago.
Teammate Janaa Pickard followed with 18 points, going five-for-six at the free throw line in the overtime period, while Kyana Jacobs added 14, and two of the most important points, when she was fouled with 7.3 seconds remaining. What did she think about when she approached the line?
"That we weren't going to lose this game. We've worked so hard every day. The numbers don't show it, but no matter what has happened in the game before, we've always come back to work harder and harder," Jacobs noted passionately. "Today, we all wanted to show we can win games coming down the stretch."
UMass certainly gave them the opportunity, pulling out to a shocking 15-0 in the first 4:18 before the Patriots even scored. Jasmine Harris lit up George Mason, hitting three early treys en route to 19 first-half points. But though she finished with 26, Harris faltered down the stretch, hitting just two of her last 13 shots after starting the game 8-for-12.
The Minutewomen's achilles heel, in the end, was shooting that was as cold in the waning minutes as it was fiery at the outset. UMass shot 64 percent in the first 8 1/2 minutes to take a 23-8 lead. By halftime, when the Patriots had fought back to knot it up at 41-41, they were still shooting at a 60 percent clip. The second half, though, was another story.
Even having a lead much of the second stanza, by as many as nine points, UMass shot 28 percent from the floor. In the final 9:43 of regulation, they were 2-of-15 from the field, opening the door for another Mason comeback, and, in the end, free basketball.
Still, in defeat, at the end of a very difficult season, UMass head coach Sharon Dawley was upbeat about her team, their performance, and their future.
"Even without the "W", I told the ladies in the locker room I couldn't be prouder of them," Dawley said. "We don't have the wins in the season that we want, but not one day was there any quit. We gave a great effort today, it came down to who was making more shots at the end of the game, and we weren't."
The Minutewomen's three leading scorers, Harris, Rashida Timbilla with 13, and Nola Henry with 11, are sophomore, sophomore, sophomore. The team loses exactly one to graduation in forward Kiara Bomben. The Australian scored five points and grabbed five rebounds in her final college game. So, there are major building blocks in Amherst, and Dawley knows it.
"We had sophomores play great basketball, particularly three that looked like leaders out there," Dawley explained. "Because of this effort, we have a better taste in our mouth going into spring workouts."
The Minutewomen conclude the season with a 4-27 record, 1-16 in Atlantic 10 play.
George Mason sleeps quickly at their hotel, having to come right back to the Coliseum to face defending tournament champion, and #5 seed, St. Joseph's in Game 2 of our First Round Quadruple-header Thursday at 2:30.
The lineup for Thursday:
12NOON: #8 VCU vs. #9 Richmond
2:30PM: #5 St. Joseph's vs. #12 George Mason
5PM: #7 La Salle vs. #10 St. Louis
7:30PM: #6 Duquesne vs. #11 Rhode Island
The top four seeds enjoy a bye tomorrow: #1 Dayton, #2 St. Bonaventure, #3 Fordham and #4 George Washington.
Opening Night: George Mason Survives In Overtime!
The tank ran dry for the Minutewomen. George Mason took over the extra session, winning the game at the free throw line and behind a career performance from redshirt sophomore guard Taylor Brown, 35 points, as the Patriots defeated UMass 85-75 in the Opening Round game of the 2014 Atlantic 10 Tournament at the Richmond Coliseum.
Complete wrap-up coming HERE later this evening!
Complete wrap-up coming HERE later this evening!
OPENING NIGHT: FREE BASKETBALL!
Kyana Jacobs' two free throws with 7.3 seconds left in regulation forces overtime in the opening round game of the 2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Tournament at the Richmond Coliseum.
It's 69-69 as we begin the extra session. The winner faces #5 St. Joseph's in the 2:30 First Round game tomorrow, which follows the VCU/Richmond showdown to start the day at 12Noon ET!
It's 69-69 as we begin the extra session. The winner faces #5 St. Joseph's in the 2:30 First Round game tomorrow, which follows the VCU/Richmond showdown to start the day at 12Noon ET!
HONORS: Hoover Player of the Year; VCU's Parks Named First Team All-Atlantic 10!
The Atlantic 10 passed out the hardware 24 hours prior to the wars on the hardwood at the 2014 Tournament at the Richmond Coliseum.
Dayton's Andrea Hoover was named 2014 Player of the Year, while Jim Crowley of St. Bonaventure earned league Coach of the Year honors.
A complete look at all the postseason awards, including first-team honors for VCU's Robyn Parks, are available by clicking HERE.
Dayton's Andrea Hoover was named 2014 Player of the Year, while Jim Crowley of St. Bonaventure earned league Coach of the Year honors.
A complete look at all the postseason awards, including first-team honors for VCU's Robyn Parks, are available by clicking HERE.
DIRECTIONS, PARKING INFORMATION FOR RICHMOND COLISEUM!
CLICK HERE to find all the details you need before arriving in #RVA to watch your favorite team play for the Atlantic 10 Championship!!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Tournament Bracket!
Opening Round (Wednesday March 5th, 7pm)
#12 George Mason vs. #13 Massachusetts
First Round (Thursday March 6th)
#8 VCU vs. #9 Richmond, 12pm
#5 St. Joseph's vs. Winner of Opening Round Game, 2:30pm
#7 La Salle vs. #10 St. Louis, 5pm
#6 Duquesne vs. #11 Rhode Island, 7:30pm
Quarterfinals (Friday March 7th)
#1 Dayton vs. VCU/Richmond Winner, 12pm
#4 George Washington vs. St. Joseph's/Opening Round Winner, 2:30pm
#2 St. Bonaventure vs. La Salle/St. Louis Winner, 5pm
#3 Fordham vs. Duquesne/Rhode Island Winner, 7:30pm
Semifinals (Saturday March 8th)
Friday Afternoon Winners, 11am
Friday Evening Winners, 1:30pm
Championship Game (Sunday March 9th)
Saturday Semifinal Winners, 11am
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the Tournament at the Richmond Coliseum!
#12 George Mason vs. #13 Massachusetts
First Round (Thursday March 6th)
#8 VCU vs. #9 Richmond, 12pm
#5 St. Joseph's vs. Winner of Opening Round Game, 2:30pm
#7 La Salle vs. #10 St. Louis, 5pm
#6 Duquesne vs. #11 Rhode Island, 7:30pm
Quarterfinals (Friday March 7th)
#1 Dayton vs. VCU/Richmond Winner, 12pm
#4 George Washington vs. St. Joseph's/Opening Round Winner, 2:30pm
#2 St. Bonaventure vs. La Salle/St. Louis Winner, 5pm
#3 Fordham vs. Duquesne/Rhode Island Winner, 7:30pm
Semifinals (Saturday March 8th)
Friday Afternoon Winners, 11am
Friday Evening Winners, 1:30pm
Championship Game (Sunday March 9th)
Saturday Semifinal Winners, 11am
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to the Tournament at the Richmond Coliseum!
REGULAR SEASON ENDS: FINAL SCORES AND STANDINGS....
Sunday Finals:
Fordham defeats St. Joseph's 58-53 to clinch a three-way tie for second in the Atlantic 10 and earn one of four byes in the first round of this week's tournament at the Richmond Coliseum.
St. Louis defeats UMass 87-68 to finish 7-9 in the conference, the #10 seed. UMass finishes tied for 12th with George Mason. The Minutewomen and Patriots will play in Wednesday night's opening round game at 7pm ET.
FINAL ATLANTIC 10 STANDINGS:
1) Dayton: 14-2 (21-6)
2T) Fordham 11-5 (22-7)
2T) St. Bonaventure 11-5 (22-9)
2T) George Washington 11-5 (20-9)
5T) St. Joseph's 10-6 (21-8)
5T) Duquesne 10-6 (18-11)
7T) VCU 9-7 (21-8)
7T) La Salle 9-7 (14-14)
9) Richmond 8-8 (14-15)
10) St. Louis 7-9 (12-17)
11) Rhode Island 2-14 (7-22)
12T) George Mason 1-15 (7-22)
12T) UMass 1-15 (4-26)
We'll post the complete 2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Tournament Bracket shortly!!
Fordham defeats St. Joseph's 58-53 to clinch a three-way tie for second in the Atlantic 10 and earn one of four byes in the first round of this week's tournament at the Richmond Coliseum.
St. Louis defeats UMass 87-68 to finish 7-9 in the conference, the #10 seed. UMass finishes tied for 12th with George Mason. The Minutewomen and Patriots will play in Wednesday night's opening round game at 7pm ET.
FINAL ATLANTIC 10 STANDINGS:
1) Dayton: 14-2 (21-6)
2T) Fordham 11-5 (22-7)
2T) St. Bonaventure 11-5 (22-9)
2T) George Washington 11-5 (20-9)
5T) St. Joseph's 10-6 (21-8)
5T) Duquesne 10-6 (18-11)
7T) VCU 9-7 (21-8)
7T) La Salle 9-7 (14-14)
9) Richmond 8-8 (14-15)
10) St. Louis 7-9 (12-17)
11) Rhode Island 2-14 (7-22)
12T) George Mason 1-15 (7-22)
12T) UMass 1-15 (4-26)
We'll post the complete 2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Tournament Bracket shortly!!
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Saturday Finals: Dayton Knocked Off in Finale...
George Washington served notice on Senior Day that they will be a force to be reckoned with two hours south of the Smith Center in Washington, DC next week. The Colonials handed regular season champion Dayton only their second loss in the Atlantic 10, 88-79. The Flyers, led by Celeste Edwards' 22 points, finish at 14-2 in league play, having already clinched the regular season title, while George Washington, led by Danni Jackson's 17 points and 12 assists, finishes in a tie for second, for now just with St. Bonaventure.
Fordham and St. Joseph's battle tomorrow in their regular season finale, with the winner making it a three-way tie at 11-5. St. Bonaventure had a chance to clinch the #2 seed all to themselves, but fell in Philadelphia to La Salle 55-49. The Explorers' victory ties them with VCU for seventh in the conference at 9-7. It also kept them a game ahead of Richmond.
The Spiders finished with a 74-63 road win at George Mason to finish at 8-8 in league play. George Mason, snakebit on many occasions this season, will be in the Wednesday play-in game with UMass on Wednesday night at the Richmond Coliseum. UMass finishes their regular season at St. Louis tomorrow, which will determine which team is the #12 seed and which is the #13, and who is considered the "home" team at the Coliseum.
Duquesne, after a hot start in league play, struggled down the stretch, but pulled out a 54-51 win today at Rhode Island. The 54 points were a season-low for the Dukes, who only shot 35 percent from the floor in the victory. The Dukes finish 10-6 and will be either be the #5 or #6 seed, tied with the loser of tomorrow's Fordham/St. Joseph's game.
Updated standings are to your right! As soon as the official tournament pairings are announced, we'll have them here.
GET TICKETS TO ATLANTIC 10 WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT AT RICHMOND COLISEUM BY CLICKING HERE!!
Fordham and St. Joseph's battle tomorrow in their regular season finale, with the winner making it a three-way tie at 11-5. St. Bonaventure had a chance to clinch the #2 seed all to themselves, but fell in Philadelphia to La Salle 55-49. The Explorers' victory ties them with VCU for seventh in the conference at 9-7. It also kept them a game ahead of Richmond.
The Spiders finished with a 74-63 road win at George Mason to finish at 8-8 in league play. George Mason, snakebit on many occasions this season, will be in the Wednesday play-in game with UMass on Wednesday night at the Richmond Coliseum. UMass finishes their regular season at St. Louis tomorrow, which will determine which team is the #12 seed and which is the #13, and who is considered the "home" team at the Coliseum.
Duquesne, after a hot start in league play, struggled down the stretch, but pulled out a 54-51 win today at Rhode Island. The 54 points were a season-low for the Dukes, who only shot 35 percent from the floor in the victory. The Dukes finish 10-6 and will be either be the #5 or #6 seed, tied with the loser of tomorrow's Fordham/St. Joseph's game.
Updated standings are to your right! As soon as the official tournament pairings are announced, we'll have them here.
GET TICKETS TO ATLANTIC 10 WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT AT RICHMOND COLISEUM BY CLICKING HERE!!
Final Saturday of Regular Season!!!
Here's the lineup as the finish line of the regular season is in sight!
St. Bonaventure (11-4, 22-8) at La Salle (8-7, 13-14), 1PM
Richmond (7-8, 13-15) at George Mason (1-14, 7-21), 2PM
Dayton (14-1, 21-5) at George Washington (10-5, 19-9), 2PM
Duquesne (9-6, 17-11) at Rhode Island (2-13, 7-21), 5PM
St. Bonaventure (11-4, 22-8) at La Salle (8-7, 13-14), 1PM
Richmond (7-8, 13-15) at George Mason (1-14, 7-21), 2PM
Dayton (14-1, 21-5) at George Washington (10-5, 19-9), 2PM
Duquesne (9-6, 17-11) at Rhode Island (2-13, 7-21), 5PM
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