Game 44: Women vs. Richmond

The #14/13 women's team hosts Richmond (11-11, 4-3) at the Smith Center this afternoon. GW (18-4, 6-1) is coming off of a 73-65 win at Duquesne last Saturday. In that one, which was coach Joe McKeown's 500th career victory, four Colonials reached double figures in scoring: Kimberly Beck (19 points, five rebounds, five assists), Jessica Adair (17 points, five rebounds), Antelia Parrish (14 points, six rebounds), and Whitney Allen (15 points, eight rebounds). GW held the Dukes to 6-23 (26.1%) shooting from the field in the first half. The Colonials have won four-straight coming into this one.

The Spiders, who were picked to finish fifth out of 14 teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference, return four starters from the squad that went 13-17 and lost in the opening round of the conference tournament. Richmond is led by preseason Third Team All-A-10 selection 6-0 senior forward Christina Campion (10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds per game this season). The Spiders have also received strong performances from 5-9 junior guard Johanna McKnight (8.5 points, 4.4 rebounds) and 5-7 sophomore guard Kara Powell (8.1 points, 3.2 assists). Coach Michael Shafer is 37-45 in his third season at Richmond. The Spiders lead the A-10 in three-point field goal shooting (36.9%). However, Richmond ranks last in the conference in defensive three-point field goal percentage (36.3%) and free throw shooting (61.6%).

Richmond is coming off of a 62-48 win at St. Bonaventure on Wednesday night. In that one, three Spiders reached double figures in scoring: 5-7 freshman guard Brittani Shells (18 points, five rebounds), McKnight (12 points, five rebounds, five assists), and 6-3 freshman forward/center Crystal Goring (12 points, seven rebounds). Richmond shot 29-55 (52.7%) from the field against the Bonnies. The Spiders have won their last two games after going 2-6 in the previous eight outings, and are 6-8 on the road.

This is the 18th-ever meeting between these programs; GW is 15-2. The last meeting came on February 3, 2007 in Richmond, VA, which the Colonials won 72-53. In that one, #11/12 GW had three players reach double figures in scoring: Adair (17 points, five rebounds), Beck (16 points), and Sarah-Jo Lawrence (15 points, 11 rebounds). McKnight led the Spiders with 10 points, while Campion added nine points. GW has won three-straight in the series and is 7-1 against Richmond all-time at the Smith Center.

On a day when McKeown will be honored for career victory #500, the pick here is for Beck and company to earn him #501.

Chase Carpenter and Scott Trocchia have the call for WRGW with Greg Shapiro and Ben Toder handling production duties. You can listen here starting at 1.40 p.m.

Game notes: Today marks the program's first-ever Pink Out...Fans, players, coaches, and staff members are encouraged to wear pink to raise awareness for breast cancer research...Proceeds from this contest will go to support the GW Cancer Institute...GW has won 10-straight at home and is 11-1 at the Smith Center...The Colonials have won 12-straight home conference games dating back to a 67-63 loss to Richmond on February 19, 2006...The current senior class is 26-1 at the Smith Center in regular season conference games...The current senior class is 51-5 at the Smith Center...Through 12 home games, the average home attendance for the women has been 1,834...This would break the program record of 1,637 from the 1995-1996 season...Allen needs six blocks to enter the top five in program history...Beck is averaging 12.3 points per game in eight career meetings with Richmond...GW moved up two spots to #14 in this week's Associated Press Poll...The Colonials remained at #13 in this week's ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll...GW has been ranked for 32-straight weeks, a program record...The Colonials are 3-1 on Sundays and 10-0 when scoring at least 70 points.

Starting lineups and other notes to follow from the Smith Center once we get closer to tip-off. I will be reporting live all afternoon, so please check back later.

Update, 12.47 p.m. - They just previewed the McKeown tribute video that they'll be playing later. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who is coming, but there are some pretty cool appearances, especially the last one. Props to whoever was responsible for putting it together; it's probably the best video production I've seen in my time here.

Update, 1.43 p.m. - Here are the starting lineups:

Richmond
G - Brittani Shells (5-7 freshman from Camden, DE)
G - Kara Powell (5-7 sophomore from Feeding Hill, MA)
G - Johanna McKnight (5-9 junior from Kenner, LA)
F - Christina Campion (6-0 senior from Hamilton Square, NJ)
C - Crystal Goring (6-3 freshman from Morvant, Trinidad)

GW
G - Kimberly Beck (5-8 senior from Fairburn, GA)
G - Sarah-Jo Lawrence (5-11 senior from Rhoadesville, VA)
F - Whitney Allen (5-11 senior from Woodbridge, VA)
F - Antelia Parrish (6-0 junior from Washington, DC)
C - Jessica Adair (6-4 junior from Washington, DC)

Update, 2.03 p.m. - McKeown was just awarded a ball by Athletic Director Jack Kvancz in honor of his 500th career victory. There's no doubt McKeown has earned the admiration of all of his players, as each sported a huge smile during the presentation. Now it's time to focus on basketball.

Update, 2.08 p.m. - Even today's officials are getting into the act, as all three are sporting pink whistles. Fun fact: McKeown's 105th career victory was a 73-62 win over Richmond on March 13, 1991. Why was that game significant? It was the Colonials' first-ever NCAA Tournament victory.

Update, 2.14 p.m. - GW up 9-5 with 15.35 left in the first half. Right now the Colonials are getting it done with defense, as seven of their nine points have come off of Richmond turnovers. Nice to see Allen knock down a long jumper; she's struggled with her outside shot ever since breaking a finger against Rutgers in mid-November.

Update, 2.22 p.m. - Very physical game on both ends of the court thus far. There was a tie-up between Allen and Campion, and the result was the full weight of Campion's body landing on Allen's legs. The senior from Woodbridge, VA was not happy, and she responded by making contact with Campion a few times before she walked away. For my money, Allen is the most interesting Colonial to watch on the court: she takes defense personally, and she's all intensity regardless of the score. While Beck and Lawrence get most of the attention on this squad, don't forget the 'junkyard dog,' the defensive stopper who usually gets the toughest assignment.

Update, 2.30 p.m. - 19-11 Colonials with 8.47 left in the first half. GW has played a solid first half, but it feels like they should be up by more, as the Spiders haven't been able to get anything going on the offensive end. McKeown has not been happy with his team's transition defense on a few occasions thus far.

Update, 2.34 p.m. - With 7.44 left in the first half, the Spiders are shooting just 4-20 (20%) from the field. GW's 'blizzard' matchup zone is as suffocating as it's been all season. Richmond has 11 points to go along with its 11 turnovers. Points = turnovers is not a winning basketball formula.

Update, 2.38 p.m. - Beck just got the back of her head stepped on after she fell to the floor following a missed lay-up attempt. I don't think you will find anyone who has more toughness per inch (she's listed at 5-8) than Beck; she routinely absorbs numerous hard hits during each outing, but she has never missed a game in her four-year career.

Update, 2.46 p.m. - At the beginning of the season some of us wondered where the killer instinct had gone with this team. Well, there's no doubt that it's back, as GW is pouring it on here as we approach halftime. Even with a 16-point lead the pressure defense is still relentlessly swarming every Spider who touches the ball. Allen just made knee-to-knee contact with a Richmond player and is limping back up the court. We'll keep an eye on her.

Update, 2.54 p.m. - 39-16 GW at intermission. The Spiders are shooting 6-28 (21.4%) from the field and have 16 turnovers to go along with their 16 points. Beck has 14 points and four assists to pace the Colonials, while Adair has 12 points.

Update, 3.11 p.m. - They showed the McKeown tribute video at halftime. The special guest I referred to earlier was ESPN's Dick Vitale. Nice of Dickie V to offer some kind words about McKeown. I found out during intermission that the Athletic Department was responsible for contacting Vitale and putting the video together, so props to them.

Update, 3.26 p.m. - Neglected to mention earlier that both teams are wearing pink shoelaces. In addition, almost every Colonial is wearing a pink headband, and about half of the squad is sporting pink socks. It's 55-31 Colonials with 13.15 left to play in the second half. GW leads in points off turnovers 23-10 and points in the paint 26-8.

Update, 3.30 p.m. - After Shells hit a three-pointer to give her 16 points, McKeown asked his players to matchup on defense. Immediately, Allen said, "I've got (number) 20." That's why you have to love the junkyard dog if you're a GW fan. On the next play, Shells tried a backdoor cut, which Allen read immediately. The result was a turnover. While Allen doesn't fill up the box score each night, don't underestimate her importance to this team.

Update, 3.38 p.m. - Richmond has gone on a little bit of a run in the last few minutes, cutting the deficit down to 18 points. McKeown is not happy with his team's defense, as the Colonials are getting beaten in one-on-one situations.

Update, 3.41 p.m. - McKnight has fouled out for Richmond. Adair has 20 points, Beck has 18 points and eight assists, while Parrish has 10 points and seven rebounds.

Update, 3.45 p.m. - The scoreboard (or whoever is behind what appears on it) just noted that GW has won at least 10 home games in each of the last 18 seasons. Pretty impressive stuff.

Update, 3.48 p.m. - Things are getting touchy here as Adair took a shot to the face on one end of the court. Soon after, four Spiders landed on Allen as she corralled a loose ball on the other end. A pair of Adair free throws gives GW the magical number of 70 points; the Colonials are 10-0 when reaching that figure this season.

Update, 3.54 p.m. - Adair is 11-12 from the charity stripe this afternoon. Pretty impressive considering she was a career 64.9% shooter from the free throw line coming into this one.

Update, 4.02 p.m. - Jazmine Adair fouls out with no points on 0-3 shooting from the field and two rebounds. Jazmine's inconsistency has to drive the coaching staff crazy; there are times when she looks like the All-American McKeown thinks she can be, and then there are performances like today's. It is a 75-48 GW lead with 1.31 to play as blog favorite Lora Mitchell checks into the game.

Update, 4.08 p.m. - Well, that'll do it. GW wins this one easily, 78-51. The Colonials never trailed, as four of McKeown's players reached double figures in scoring: Jessica Adair (27 points, four rebounds), two off her career high of 29 points set here on November 14 against Kentucky, Beck (18 points, eight assists), Parrish (12 points, eight rebounds), and Lawrence (10 points, eight rebounds, five assists).