Posted by xAC  12/10/2021 5:23 pm | #1 |
Howard University, another local rival is next up on Sunday.
Howard plays in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), where they are predicted to finish 1st in the eight team conference. Their record stands at 4-4, with key wins over St. Peters, Mt. Saint Marys, and Hofstra; but big losses to Towson and Houston.
They are led by preseason All-MEAC, Anzhane’ Hutton, a 6’0” sophomore who was last year’s MEAC ROY. She currently averages 10.2 ppg and 6.6 rpg. Also in double figure scoring is Destiny Howell, a 5’11” guard averaging 10.3 ppg. As a team, Howard scores 55.4 ppg on 33.6% shooting (23.2% from beyond the arc).
Meanwhile, GW has recently improved its offensive game, now shooting 34.4% (29.2% from 3). This will be the first game this season where we come into a game with better shooting statistics than our opponent. GW matches up pretty well with Howard size wise, so it will interesting to see if we can get our inside game going. Without that balance we have struggled through some droughts that have led to questionable shots, poor transition defense, and easy scores for teams who were otherwise struggling in their half court offense. We need for consistency for all four quarters. Laureano and Lok seemed locked in, shooting wise. All of their shots seem on target, while the others, even when wide open, frequently miss the rim entirely and cause the transition defense problems. We have to cut down on that.
Health continues to be an issue. It would be great for Frames (under concussion protocol) and Moore (leg issue) to play, but their status is unknown (at least to me). We have not seen Loder for a while, but it’s not clear that’s an injury issue. Their presence would make our rotations more balanced and give our starters longer rest times. It would also be great to get a longer look at the other freshman (Ojo, Patel, and Engel) who by some accounts really have talent, if not the experience.
Posted by gwstudent2024  Online!12/10/2021 10:30 pm | #2 |
It seems like Loder is just out of the rotation unfortunately. I'd love to see some more of those freshmen but I feel like as the year goes on the chances of seeing them only go down. This is very unscientific but I was at the Georgetown game on Thursday night and it seemed like Moore had a limp, but hopefully her and Frames are back ASAP.
Howard is a winnable game and if they can get back to the defense they're capable of (which is so fun to watch) and get a little more out of a few player offensively they should cruise to a victory.
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Posted by BC 12/12/2021 2:54 pm | #3 |
Women leading Howard at the half 35-29.
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Posted by xAC 12/12/2021 4:32 pm | #4 |
GW wins 62-53.
Despite a 5 minute scoreless drought period at the end of the 3rd quarter, GW stayed composed and earned a well deserved victory. When things got close, different players stepped up and hit key shots. Despite my prediction that Laureano and Lok would lead the offensive charge, it was other players-- Blethen, Frames, Webster, and Taiwo who provided the firepower, all scoring in double figures. A lot of players showing their potential, which is great to witness.
Howard full court pressed for most of the game, challenging our PGs, but we handled it well. Howard was really effective on the offensive glass, getting 20 offensive boards, but missing numerous put backs. Taiwo was a warrior down low and managed several key defensive rebounds down the stretch when we really needed them. She finished with 11 boards to go with her 10 pts and first double-double of the year. Blethen scored all 10 pts in the first half on 4-4 shooting, including a couple of 3 pointers, in her best performance of the year. Webster and Frames made key shots when we needed them.
A couple of areas still need some work-- defensive rebounding and going one-on-one to the basket. When Ty Moore does finally return, it’ll be a big help, but today, if Howard hadn’t missed so many close-in shots, it could have been a different outcome. Also, we continue to miss, get blocked, or throw up wild shots when we challenge defenders on the fast break, usually negating a great defensive stand on our part.
I continue to be surprised by the balance of this team. Today, the Howard defense really kept Laureano and Lok out of their offensive rhythm, so what a day for the others to step up. Looking forward to the day we put it all together.
A short break before Lehigh University, next up on December 21.
Last edited by xAC (12/12/2021 10:30 pm)
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Posted by The Dude 12/12/2021 9:19 pm | #5 |
Good win! playing pretty well so far.
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Posted by Poog 12/12/2021 10:22 pm | #6 |
Best unseen from TV moment in today’s game: Sheslanie Laureano gets obliterated taking a charge. Seen in the stands was Coach Jamion Christian watching that play and going nuts giving the business to one of his unnamed players sitting in the stands. Priceless!
