Just like against Richmond, we responded well when they made a run.

Tale of 2 Halves

Helluva second half

GW wins 77-55 Castro sheer dominance

Fun game.  Lasalle tried to follow the Delaware script of being very physical (aided by the refs calling nothing for the first 26 minutes or so) and slowing the game to a crawl, and in the first half we must a few easy layups like in that Delaware game.

They also drained a bunch of threes early in the game (at an obviously unsustainable rate for one of the worst shooting teams in the country) and got a wild career game from Dockery. 

Those were the only things that kept them in the game for the first 27 minutes.  Was a little distressing when they took a one point lead (largely because the refs suddenly started calling minor contact, though only on us, that they had been letting go all game, leading to a little LaSalle run).   But I never felt like we were really at risk of losing because our rebounding was so good and Castro was dominating. 

The team did an incredible job finding Castro.  The entry pass from Marshall on his last dunk stands out to me.  Also loved Castro’s back to back assists to Autry for reverse layups. 

Autry is really playing like an all league guard.  So smart, and his defense is so improved.  Jones had a really nice game too - not only does his three look pretty good these days, but 4 assists to 2 turnovers is solid.

Also a shout out to our defensive rebounding, led by 6 from Garrett and 5 from Slim.  LaSalle only rebounded 18.4% of their misses.  For the season, they grab 35.6% of offensive boards, which is 58th best in the nation. We held then to almost half their usual percentage. 

Want to also mention Bubu, who had an off game.  One thing I noticed is that on his first two threes, he started shooting before he even looked at the basket.  Not sure if he was overanxious or what, but he needs to just take his time a little more - see the basket before he shoots it. 


Finally, I want to complement Aranguren.  Not a particularly good game today, but remember he is Venezuelan.  Had to be a ton on his mind today, so it was great to see him out there giving it his all.  I hope he and his family are doing ok in the wake of the invasion and ensuing turmoil - and I hope he knows the GW community stands with him.

Also agree with FQ on then inconsistency by the refs.  Don’t care how you call it but be consistent and call it the same way the entire night.  1st half was a wrestling contest and 2/3 refs did not even blow a whistle.  The offensive hooking was blatant and obvious but they decided not to call it. 2nd half all of a sudden they started to call fouls on what they let go in 1st half and disproportion against GW.  Just a weird Jekyll/hyde performance by the refs.

Gwmayhem wrote:

Another compliment for DMVPiranha.  I will not pretend to know a fraction of what he conveys in each and every preview.  Yet there are times where he will remind me of something that I can proudly recall, only for him to acknowledge the same thing moments later.  Two cases in point.  First, learning that the new Explorer coach came from Radford reminded me that GW lost at Radford a few years ago (and that he likely would have been the coach).  The second involved Johnson, the ODU transfer.  My immediate thought was that he torched us during the first half of our game at Norfolk last season.  In both instances, the Piranha was right there, making the very same points.  Really impressive stuff.

Thanks so much Gwmayhem! CC made sure to mention that Radford game during the postgame as well lol.