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GW versus La Salle Game (2)
The La Salle Explorers visit the Smith Center on Saturday afternoon in the second of a pair of conference matchups between the teams. In the first game, arguably GW’s worst A10 performance of the season, La Salle took a 66-52 decision over the Revs in Philadelphia. Since then, the Explorers have have gone 3-7 in league play, and come into this contest at 6-7 in the A10 and 13-11 overall. This past Wednesday, La Salle defeated Fordham 72-69 in New York. La Salle is led by guards Ashleigh Conner l(15.5 ppg and 5.3 rpg), and Aryss Macktoon (14.4 ppg and 7 rpg). Joan Quinn (11.3 ppg) is their best outside threat, coming into the contest shooting 38.9% from beyond the arc. In the first GW contest, it was Macktoon’s defense (6 steals) that disrupted the Revs, helping to force 20 turnovers that resulted in 25 points-off-turnovers. In that game, Macktoon finished with 18 points and Conner added 17 points. As a team, the Explorers score 65 ppg, while yielding 64.2 ppg. Although their defense forces 18.8 turnovers per game (3rd in the A10), La Salle is also turnover prone, committing 16.9 miscues per game.
For GW, this game will come down to taking care of the ball. In the first game, GW’s half court defense was solid, but La Salle was able to score a lot of easy baskets in their transition offense after Revs’ turnovers. No GW player stood out or scored in double figures, but the scoring was well distributed. Phiri led the scoring with 9 points. Reynolds and Wilson had 8 points, and Lewis and Dulin each added 7 points. Since that game, GW continues to improve, especially individually, but the offense is still prone to periods of carelessness that can effect the outcomes of games. Coach G has shortened the rotation and the starters, when not in foul trouble, are logging more minutes. Only Wilson, Theodorsson and Dulin are getting significant bench minutes of late. Unlike earlier in the season, the Revs (especially Lewis, Reynolds and Wilson) have had recent success driving to the basket and finishing through contact or drawing fouls. Wilson was particularly aggressive against St. Joe’s, leading to a career best 20 points. This recent success has forced opposing defenses to focus attention on the inside, resulting in better 3-point looks on the perimeter for GW. To atone for the early season loss at La Salle, GW will have to limit Macktoon’s defensive influence in then game (no careless turnovers), avoid unnecessary fouls (especially Lewis and Reynolds), and force the Explorers to execute their half court offense. Being at home can only help.
Big challenges await the squad after this game, with Richmond and George Mason next in line.
- xAC
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Re: GW versus La Salle Game (2)
Disastrous 3rd quarter dooms GW in 67-52 loss to La Salle.
In the 1st half, GW had no answer for Kiara Williams, who torched the Revs for 14 points inside the paint and led the Explorers to a 35-29 advantage. GW was fortunate to trail by only 6 points, as the Revs did not fare well on either side of the court. The offense forced too many shots, resulting in 18 missed shots in 29 attempts that led to some easy transition baskets for La Salle. GW’s defense allowed too many uncontested drives that led to easy layups and failed to box out in the paint, giving La Salle a 23-15 edge on the boards. For GW, Sims' 10 points and Wilson’s 7 points off the bench helped to keep the score close. In the 2nd half, things got worse for GW. The Revs were held scoreless from the field in the 3rd quarter, and numerous unforced errors helped the Explorers lead explode to 18 points (50-32) heading into the final period. Williams, who was saddled with foul trouble, did not score in the 2nd half for La Salle, but Conner and Macktoon picked up the slack and finished 18 and 13 points, respectively. Sims led the GW attack with 13 points and Reynolds finished with a 12/13 double-double, despite going only 4-19 from the field. Wilson had another good outing, finishing with 11 points in 17 minutes of play.
This game played out much like the first contest. Aside form the turnovers, the La Salle defense continually lured the GW attack into the paint and smothered the Revs offensive players. GW failed to deal with the physicality of La Salle’s defense early, and it resulted bad shot selection. Reynolds had some good looks that didn’t drop, but like Lewis, she also took too many shots in a crowded paint area that came up empty. Lewis and Reynolds forced many shots inside the paint that were seldom rewarded. The two were a combined 6-28 from the field and earned only 4 attempts at the free throw line. The other ugly stat lines for the Revs were a 32.2% success rate from the field and a 28-44 deficit in points-in-the-paint. Bright spots for the Revs were Sims and Wilson, who seemed comfortable in the offense, and were productive (a combined 24 points on 8-15 shooting) in their minutes. GW also held a 21-11 edge in bench scoring with Wilson leading the way. GW plays better when the ball is moving around and there is less one-on-one offense. This was GW’s first sub 40% shooting performance in a while.
Richmond, arguably the most talented squad in the A10, visits GW next Wednesday. From this point on, moving up in the standings will be a huge challenge.
Last edited by xAC (Yesterday 8:37 pm)
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