Posted by xAC  1/12/2024 12:03 pm | #1 |
Next up: St. Bonaventure Bonnies (SBU)
Time: January 14, 2024; 12 PM (ET)
Venue: Reilly Center – St. Bonaventure, NY
2022-23 Record: 6-26 (3-13 in A10)
2024 Projection: 14th
Current Record: 4-11
OOC Record: 3-8
A10 Record: 1-3
Common OOC: West Virginia (SBU lost 90-50 in Morgantown)
Last Time Out: 56-43 loss to GW in 2022-23 (at SBU)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Opponent Summary: GW travels to Olean NY for a Sunday afternoon matchup with the St. Bonaventure Bonnies. The Bonnies are in rebuild mode after several down years and come into this contest at 4-11. To their credit, they defeated Loyola Chicago to start their A10 season, but since then, have taken A10 losses against Fordham, URI, and LaSalle. Their 3-8 OOC record did not include any significant wins, with their biggest loss coming against nationally ranked West Virginia. As a team, they score 58.5 ppg on 39.1% from the field and 30.2% from distance. Guards Dani Haskell (13.2 ppg) and Nadechka Laccen (11.2 ppg) lead a balanced attack. Claire Cody provides bench scoring with 40% long distance accuracy (22-54 so far this year). With no players taller than 6’0” on the roster, rebounding has been a challenge.
About the game: Despite the Bonnies’ early season difficulties, they have managed to equal the Revs offensively (GW is at 58.5 ppg, 38.2%, and 30%), but have had trouble containing their opponents who average 7 points better per game. For the first time in the A10 season, GW will have an edge in size and an opportunity to capitalize on the inside, but spacing remains an issue. Durrant, although she displays good footwork, is not quick and therefore prone to double teams. Taiwo has had problems navigating in traffic, and has taken too many shots falling away from the basket. Beyond improvements from the frontcourt, the offense has to stop being so robotic, reduce the amount of dribbling, and make more frequent and quicker passes to get our shooters better looks. Shooting percentages remain low because too many drives in the lane are ending up with throws towards, rather than shots at, the basket. The most revealing stat reflecting the dysfunction of the offense is the assist-to-turnover ratio. GW’s is a dismal .642. Richmond (1.24), St. Joe’s (1.43), and Duquesne (.893) all had significantly better numbers, suggesting better organized and more controlled offenses. Coaching can fix this. St. Bonaventure comes into this contest with a ratio (.651) comparable to GW. This is an opportunity.
Although things aren’t looking great, it was just 2 short seasons ago that GW started out 0-8 in league play. No one wants to see a repeat of that, but at this point any tangible signs of improvement and future potential will be welcomed sights.
Last edited by xAC (1/12/2024 3:33 pm)
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Posted by BC 1/14/2024 2:12 pm | #2 |
GW wins 78-62.
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Posted by xAC 1/14/2024 2:16 pm | #3 |
Final Result: Strong second half propels GW to 78-62 win.
GW started out with trey by Robertson, but then got a little careless with the ball. Then Robertson really got going, hitting her next 4 3-pointers to stake GW to a 17-7 lead at 3:48 of the 1st quarter. After the TO, an erratic GW offense ensued with missed shots and unforced turnovers. GW was held scoreless the remainder of the period, allowing the Bonnies to trail by only 17-15. The 2nd period started better for the Revs, but once again the offense sputtered. After shooting only 33% for the half, the Revs had to settle for a 35-35 tie at the break. Robertson led the Revs with 18 points, but missed her last 7 shots. Innis and Taiwo followed with 6 points each. After St. Bonaventure opened the 3rd with a 3-pointer, GW burst out to a 16-0 run to take a 51-38 lead. That lead was short-lived, as the Bonnies climbed to within 3 points, before a quarter ending GW spurt increased the margin to 59-50. Once again to start the 4th quarter, the Bonnies opened with a 3-pointer, and once again GW’s defense spearheaded a rally that ballooned the lead to 16 points, 74-58, with 4:29 to go in the game. From there, GW coasted to the final margin of victory. Robertson had a career high 31 points on 10-21 shooting and Lok followed with 16 points and 8 boards. Innis chipped in 14 points. As a team GW finished at 42% from the field, a whopping 52% (14-27) from beyond the arc, and 12-13 from the free throw line.
This was a much-needed win for GW. In the 2nd and 3rd quarters, GW raced yo put up big leads but was unable to hold them as sustained periods of offensive ineffectiveness gave St. Bonaventure life. When they needed to, GW turned up the defensive intensity to force numerous bad shots that turned into transition scores for the Revs. Although the 3’s were falling, GW’s post offense was still lacking, with Taiwo managing only two field goals and Durant held to just a single attempt. Engel played 16 minutes, and although she was just 1-3, her body language showed that she’s ready to engage in the offense, which could really help GW as the season continues.
Can GW carry the momentum from this victory into Wednesday’s game at Dayton? We’ll see.
Last edited by xAC (1/14/2024 9:13 pm)
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Posted by gwstudent2024 1/14/2024 4:26 pm | #4 |
Robertson is just incredible when she is on. Nice to see that they finally realized Taiwo and Durant aren't great on the floor together. Overall it's a relief to have a win after the poor results recently. The team was forced to take a bus to Olean last minute rather than flying into Buffalo because of the snow storm. They're going straight to Dayton for the game Wednesday rather than coming back to DC for the first day of classes, which was the original plan.
https://gwradio.com/womens-basketball-runs-away-with-78-62-win-late-at-st-bonaventure/
