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GW versus University of Massachusetts Game(2) Thread
Next up: University of Massachusetts (UMASS) MinuteWomen
Time: February 26, 2025; 12 PM ET
Venue: Charles E Smith Center – Washington, DC
2023-24 Record: 5-27 (2-16 in A10)
2025 Projection: 13th
Current Record: 15-13
OOC Record: 5-6
A10 Record: 10-7
Common OOC: None
Last Time Out: UMASS defeated GW 71-54 at Amherst (1/29/2025)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Opponent Summary: GW WBB hosts the University of Massachusetts on Wednesday for a midweek contest at the Smith Center. This is the second of two meetings between the teams in the final go around for UMASS in the A10. In the first game, UMASS soundly beat the Revs in a game they led for most of the way. UMASS comes into this contest at 10-7 in the A10, after losing a close matchup with Rhode Island on Sunday. They have managed to earn 10 conference wins by defeating (or sweeping) the teams below them in the current standings—Duquesne, Fordham, La Salle (2), Loyola Chicago, St. Bonaventure (2), St. Louis, VCU, and GW. UMASS is led by Megan Olbrys, the Villanova graduate transfer, who has averaged 13.9 ppg and snatched 8.2 rpg. She is an efficient inside scorer, hitting on 53.7% of her shots. Yahmani McKayle (13.2 ppg and 3.3 apg) and Allie Palmieri (12.1 ppg) can also light it up. Between the two, they shoot 39.1% from beyond the arc on 276 combined attempts so far this year. Stefani Kulesza (9.6 ppg and 6.8 rpg) has also had big games against GW. As a team, UMASS puts up 63.3 ppg while allowing 58.3 ppg to their opponents. They shoot a respectable 40.9% from the field and 33.7% from beyond the arc. Their assist to turnover ratio is at .9.
About the game: In order to compete, GW has to play much better defense than they did in the first encounter. Every UMASS starter scored in double figures and Olbrys and Kulesza just outhustled the GW front court to finish with big numbers. Lewis, probably the Revs best one-on-one defender, did not play in the first game, so having her on the second go around should help. Offensively, both teams shot 40% for the game, but the Minutewomen had a huge 20-4 advantage in points off turnovers, a result of 17 more field goal attempts in the game. The outcome of this matchup will hinge largely on how well GW can handle the UMASS pressure defense and limit turnovers. In the past two games, GW has led after the 1st half against the league’s best team (Richmond) and a good Davidson squad that is on a 6-game winning streak. Incremental improvements to GW’s offensive execution have helped them with the recent successful starts. Unfortunately, in the 2nd half of both games, the Revs lost their focus and abandoned their successful offensive schemes, The guards reverted back to a one-on-one mindset, especially in the late minutes of the games. To counter these tendencies, Mott who was held in check the first game, has to be more active offensively this go-around. More scoring production, aside from Andrews and Reynolds, has to come from Engel, Calisto, or Sims.
This game comes as the GW players deal with Coach McCombs’ exit two games before the end of the regular season. Hopefully, they are motivated and not distracted.
Last edited by xAC (2/26/2025 2:31 pm)
- xAC
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Re: GW versus University of Massachusetts Game(2) Thread
Final Result: GW battles, but loses 61-55 to UMASS.
Starting 5: Andrews, Engle, Lewis, Mott, Reynolds. The Revs started out well, defeating the UMASS full court pressure and converting possessions into easy inside scores by Mott. UMASS was able to cash in on some open looks, as GW took a 10-9 lead into the media timeout at the 4:31 mark. Both offenses stalled after the break, but GW got the better of things, and an Andrews' bank-shot 3-pointer lifted GW to a 17-12 1st quarter lead. In the 2nd quarter, UMASS began trapping on their press, causing problems for the GW backcourt and enabling an 8-0 run that put them back in the lead. GW managed a couple of inside field goals to counter the Minutewomen surge and trailed 22-21 at the 4:57 mark. GW stayed close until a gratuitous defensive error on the final inbounds play of the quarter gave UMASS a 31-26 lead at halftime. Olbrys led UMASS with 10 points, followed by 7 points from Palmieri. Mott led GW with 8 points and Andrews chipped in with 7 points. Lewis had 9 boards for GW. After the halftime break, the teams traded scores and UMASS maintained their 5-point margin 37-32 with 4:57 to go in the 3rd quarter. Keyed by their defense, GW was able to tie the game at 37-all, forcing a UMASS timeout with 2:36 to go. After the timeout, the Revs’ defense continued to hold fast, propelling them to 42-39 lead heading into the 4th quarter. The teams fought back and forth for the first 7 minutes of the 3rd quarter and the score was knotted at 55-all with 2:30 to go. After that point, GW couldn’t hit another basket and UMASS closed out the game with 6 free throws to take a hard earned 61-55 victory. Olbrys had 20 points and McKayle ended a big second half to finished with 18 points for UMASS. Mott led GW with 11 points and Sims followed with 10 points.
A good effort by GW was for naught, as some good looks late in the game just didn’t drop for them. For most of the game, GW handled the press nicely, and when they broke the press, they stayed patient on offense and worked for a lot of good shots. Unfortunately, a lot of the open 3-point attempts were badly missed and it cost them. Sims and Diala both had nice games coming off the bench and the scoring overall was well distributed. Lewis had a good overall game with 8 points and 12 rebounds, but was saddled with 4 fouls and forced to sit most of the critical moments of the final period. Despite the events preceding the game, the team seemed upbeat and was totally focused on the task at hand. Kudos to the interim coaching staff for having the team well-prepared. UMASS will be playing in the Mid-American Conference next season, but for GW, not having to face Olbyrs and McKayle again is probably a good thing.
Next up is a trip to New England to close out the regular season with Rhode Island. URI will be a tough out, but this GW team can play like it has nothing to lose.
Last edited by xAC (2/26/2025 4:23 pm)
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