Posted by xAC  2/19/2024 12:03 pm | #1 |
Next up: Duquesne Dukes
Time: February 21, 2024; 11 AM (ET)
Venue: UMPC Cooper Fieldhouse – Pittsburgh, PA
2022-23 Record: 19-12 (8-8 in A10)
2024 Projection: 5th
Current Record: 17-9
OOC Record: 5-6
A10 Record: 12-3
Common OOC: 65-51 win over at Howard (Nov 14)
Last Time Out: 71-54 win over GW at Smith Center (Jan 10)
Broadcast: ESPN+
Opponent Summary: GW travels to Pittsburgh for a Wednesday late-morning contest with the Duquesne Dukes. After a mediocre 5-6 OOC campaign, Duquesne has taken care of business in the A10, entering this matchup with a 5-game winning streak and an 12-3 record in conference play. In an early conference matchup with GW, the Dukes handed the Revs a 71-54 drubbing at the Smith Center. All-purpose star Megan McConnell leads the Dukes in scoring (12.6 ppg), rebounding (8.8 rpg), assists (4.7 apg), and steals (2.1 spg). Her backcourt mates Naelle Bernard (10 ppg) and Tess Myers (8.8 ppg) are the other primary contributors to Duquesne’s 68.9 points per game, but experienced front court players Amaya Hamilton (9.8 ppg) and Ayanna Townsend (7.9) provide a strong presence inside the paint on both ends of the court. As a team, the Dukes shoot 42.7% from the field (34.8% from beyond the arc), while yielding 65.6 ppg to their opponents.
About the game: In the first game against the Dukes, GW managed to stay close for a half, but the offense faded as the game went on. The defense managed to control the starting backcourt, but Hamilton and Townsend dominated the inside and Gabby Grantham-Medley came off the bench to score a game high 13 points for Duquesne. GW shot poorly (32.7%) in the game and turned the ball over 20 times. In some areas, GW has improved since then, but Duquesne has reeled off 10 conference wins in the last 12 attempts with consistently solid play. GW’s fortunes will rely on well they shoot. Against a good George Mason defense, GW managed to hit 38% of their shots, but was starkly better when pressing and creating transition opportunities. Having Brown and Sims off the bench has helped with bench scoring, but the starters have been struggling out of the gate. For this game to be competitive, GW needs to get off to a good start and then avoid big scoring droughts along the way. If the game is close at the end, they have to figure out a way to win.
Duquesne’s balance will give the Revs problems, but this year, GW has at times been its own worst enemy. Despite the offensive shortcomings, GW’s effort has been persistent, providing at least a grain of optimism.
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Posted by xAC 2/21/2024 1:23 pm | #2 |
Final Result: GW suffers 79-69 road loss at Duquesne.
With Brown back in the starting lineup, GW’s offense, thanks to a hot start by Robinson was competitive. Unfortunately, the defense had no answers for the Dukes’ inside game as they took a 15-12 lead into the media timeout. GW stayed hot after the break and in what was likely their best quarter offensively of the entire season, took a 26-22 lead into the 2nd quarter. Robertson led all scorers with 13 points, while Townsend tallied 7 points for the Dukes. Both offenses slowed a bit to start the 2nd quarter, but GW managed to keep a small lead going into the media TO. After trading baskets the rest of the way, Duquesne took back the lead, going into the halftime break ahead 40-39. Buford was huge for GW, scoring 9 of the Revs’ 13 2nd quarter points. Robertson had 15 points at the break and Townsend continued to lead the Dukes with 12 points. To start the 3rd, Duquesne, on the strength of consecutive treys, managed to increase their lead. But defensive stops and transition baskets by GW kept the Revs in the game, behind 50-49 at the 4:25 mark. The seesaw battle continued as GW countered every Duquesne run and trailed 57-56 going into the final period. Defenses intensified to start the 4th, as Duquesne maintained a small 64-61 lead going into the final 4:45 of the game. A loss of composure in the final minutes by GW led to some rushed and questionable shots, and Duquesne was able to close out the game. Robertson finished with 29 points, followed by Sims 11 points. For Duquesne, McConnell had 16 points, while Jenni Kaiku added 13 points. Hamilton and Townsend chipped in 12 points apiece.
Although GW had troubles scoring in the final moments, the story of the game was the Dukes’ 21-27 performance from the free throw line. In contrast, GW only has 11 attempts overall. Credit Duquesne for going inside to Townsend, Hamilton, and Precious Johnson when they needed a score, which resulted in close-in baskets or free throws. Until the final moments, GW played undoubtably played their best offensive game of the season. Big contributions by Buford in the 1st half and Sims in the 2nd helped GW stay close for most of the game. Today, the defense had troubles, much like in the first game, when Hamilton and Townsend also dominated. Duquesne took advantage of mismatches inside to score easy layups or draw fouls. Taiwo had another huge rebounding day with 15 boards, but also got into foul trouble trying to handle the Dukes’ tall frontcourt players.
Albeit, a little late in the season, adding Sims to the regular rotation has paid dividends, as well as giving a glimpse of the core (with Robertson) of next year’s team. With UMASS coming to Smith center, hopefully GW can sustain some offensive consistency as they take on a beleaguered Minutewomen squad.
Last edited by xAC (2/21/2024 1:24 pm)
