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GW versus Miami of Ohio University Game Thread
Next up: Miami of Ohio RedHawks
Conference: Mid-American Conference (MAC)
Time: December 20, 2024; 2 PM (ET)
Venue: Ocean Bank Convocation Center; Miami, FL
2023-24 Record: 9-20 (6-12 in MAC – 9th Place)
2025 Projection: 8th
Current Record: 5-3
Common Opponents: Dayton, Ohio
Last Time Out: No history
Broadcast: ESPN+
Opponent Summary: This weekend, GW travels to Miami, FL for the Florida International University (FIU) Christmas Classic in a two-game tournament at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. On Friday afternoon, the Revs open with the Miami of Ohio RedHawks in the first ever meeting between the two teams. Miami was picked to finish in 8th place in the MAC this season, but has overachieved in the OOC, coming into this tournament at 5-3, with a big 17-point win over Dayton on the road and close losses to Xavier and Purdue. The RedHawks are led by a pair of sophomores— guard Enjulina Gonzales who brings in a 14.4 ppg scoring average, and forward Amber Tretter, who comes in at 11.1 ppg and 7.3 rpg. Tretter sports a 53.4% shooting percentage and Tamar Singer, although she has only taken 21 attempts, has cashed in on 43% of her 3-pointers. is equally proficient from distance, coming into this contest at 40%. As a team, Miami scores at a 71.6 clip, while allowing just 55.3 ppg. They are shooting 43.5% from the field (33% from distance), and have an assist-to-turnover ratio of .8.
About the Game: A short-handed GW squad defeated American University earlier in the week, but that AU squad was definitely offensively-challenged. On paper, this contest looks like a mismatch. Miami has been consistent on offense this season, exceeding 40% field goal accuracy in 7 of their 8 games, while scoring a whopping 23 ppg on turnovers. GW has hit a respectable 40.2% of their shots on the strength of their inside scoring, but has to improve the outside game (just 23.7% from beyond the arc) and inconsistent free throw shooting (63.3%). Defensively, GW has generally been able to contain the oppositions’ best players, but like GW, Miami has a deep bench with 12 players logging in at least 10 minutes per game, so look for Gonzales and Tretter to get some offensive support. Although GW needs a full healthy squad, the recent play of Sierra-Vargas and Loving may make substitutions problematic until the coaches can figure out what consistently works. To compete, GW has to limit turnovers that are easily converted to scores, make free throws, and have individual players focus on their strengths, i.e., Andrews on her mid-range game; Lewis, Matthews, and Reynolds driving to the basket; and Sims posting up inside. The front court has to focus on defense, rebounding and challenging on the inside offensively to keep the Miami defense honest and to open up driving lanes for the backcourt.
This looks like a great test for the Revs, but with 2 games in two days (Hampton is on Saturday), they’ll need a full complement of players. If GW can’t take care of the ball, it’ll be a long afternoon.
- GW0509
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Re: GW versus Miami of Ohio University Game Thread
Can an argument be made that the drop off in the women’s program has been worse than the men?
- BC
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Re: GW versus Miami of Ohio University Game Thread
I think it can. 23% FG , 18 TOs to 6 assists. lose 74-49. Time for McCombs to go. GW did make 21 or 24 FTs.
Last edited by BC (12/20/2024 4:40 pm)
- gwfan25
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Re: GW versus Miami of Ohio University Game Thread
No shot McCombs is still here next year... gotten worse every year.
- xAC
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Re: GW versus Miami of Ohio University Game Thread
Final Result: GW loses big, 74-49, as offense struggles.
Latest starting 5 for GW: Andrews, Engel, Lewis, Matthews, and Planes Fortuny. The opening minutes see-sawed between teams, but a pair of 3’s and some costly turnovers helped Miami take 14-9 lead into the media timeout at 4:28. GW stayed close until the final two minutes, but more careless turnovers and a senseless technical foul by GW’s bench led to an 8-0 RedHawks run and 26-15 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. 14 of 26 Miami’s points came off GW turnovers. In the 2nd quarter, Miami continuously forced GW into difficult shots late in the shot clock, and extended their lead to 33-20 with 4:11 to go in the half. The offensive futility continued, and poor clock management allowed Miami to take a 40-23 lead into the halftime break. GW ‘s lineup (seemingly without Sims, Mott, Sierra-Vargas, Calisto, and Diala) was not cohesive, but gave Kyraha Parnell her most meaningful playing time of the season. Lewis led GW with 8 points at the half. Maya Chandler, the transfer from Chicago Loyola of the A10, led Miami with 15 points. Although GW forced Miami into 5 early 3rd quarter turnovers, they couldn’t take advantage as empty offensive possessions allowed the RedHawks to maintain a 47-30 lead going into the official timeout at 4:54. Miami’s 3-point barrage (10-16 for through 3 periods) continued and the lead swelled to 54-34 at the end of the 3rd. Mott finally entered the game with 50 seconds left in the 3rd, after Loving picked up her 4th foul. In the 4th quarter, GW scores came primarily from the free throw line, and Miami continued their hot shooting to run away with a 74-49 victory. Lewis and Mott had 10 points each for GW. Rodriguez lit it up in the second half to lead Miami with 19 points and Chandler added 17 points. They combined for 7-12 shooting from beyond the arc.
A short-handed GW was no match for Miami of Ohio, but credit the RedHawks defense who turned 18 turnovers into 23 points. The offense was extremely shaky, as players tried unsuccessfully to make offense for themselves and only 6 baskets were the result of assists. Perhaps the best minutes by any GW player came from Mott, which begs the question as to why she first entered the game in the final minute of the 3rd quarter. Other than that, no one played very well, but Parnell got some minutes and looks to be quite athletic and she made GW’s only 2 3-pointers in the game. Outside of Mott and Engel, who were 3-6 and 2-4 respectively from the field, no one shot well. Andrews (1-10), Lewis (3-13), Matthews (1-6), Reynolds (0-5) and Parnell (2-7) were a product of trying too hard, primarily due to poor offensive concepts that forced them into many difficult attempts. That’s on the coaching.
The Revs face another quick and defense-oriented squad in Hampton tomorrow afternoon. They do not have a lot of time to regroup.
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Thread Starter- dmvpiranha
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Re: GW versus Miami of Ohio University Game Thread
I'm convinced McCombs just picks names out of a hat when determining the rotation for a game. Player availability has also always been a huge mystery.
I did actually see some promise with the ball movement (and FTs) but this team still couldn't even hit 50 points. Just completely inept offensively. Not convinced that this group being together another couple of years will suddenly turn them into competent scorers. Miami (OH) is barely rated as an average team (170th). 30 point difference when it comes to made threes between the two squads. Night and day difference. Defense is supposed to be the calling card, and this unit isn't even average nationally there either. Again, how the heck did this team put up 70 against Delaware? Maybe Lipitz should bring in UIC's WBB coach. They aren't very good defensively but it seems like they can score and are around 150th on Bart Torvik. GW is down to 240th after the loss.
Also, FIU's court design is cool, but I wonder how often teams turn the ball over by stepping on the sideline on the water side of the court. It seems so hard to see where the line is.