By Joanna Venditto
Old Dominion (16-1)Old Dominion University won its 12th game in a row on Feb. 29, defeating George Mason by a score of 81-64. Senior forward Monique Coker, the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Week, was ODU’s top scorer with 22 points and 7 assists. Senior guard Max Nhassengo put up 15 points for the Monarchs as well. ODU is in great shape, and will finish first in the CAA standings, as the second place team is four games behind. The Monarchs play their final conference game home against William & Mary tonight.
George Mason (11-6)After five straight wins, George Mason University suffered an 81-64 loss to Old Dominion on Feb. 29. Senior forward Vernessa Neamo (26 points) was the game’s highest scorer. However, Neamo and senior guard Jen Derevjanik (19 points) were the Patriots’ only offensive threats. As a team, GMU shot just 36 percent from the field. Despite the loss, GMU is guaranteed to finish in the top three of the CAA. The Patriots will play their final conference game on the road at Delaware tonight.
Delaware (9-8)Fourth place University of Delaware extended its winning streak to four with a 66-56 victory over Towson on Feb. 29. Game high-scorers, junior forward Tiara Malcom and Co-Rookie of the Week freshman guard Alena Koshansky, put up 19 points each for Delaware. As a team, the Blue Hens shot a solid 46 percent from the field. Because Delaware is currently in a three way tie with UNC-Wilmington and VCU, tonight’s home game against George Mason will determine its final place in the CAA standings.
UNC-Wilmington (9-8)UNC-Wilmington defeated Drexel on Feb. 29 by a score of 53-40. Senior forward Tracy Morgan, senior forward Cherie Lea, and senior guard Jennifer Kapper were the principal scorers for UNC, throwing down 12 points each. Although it was a low scoring game for the Seahawks, their efforts were enough to overcome Drexel, who had only one scorer in double digits, and as a whole shot a meager 29 percent. UNC-Wilmington will finish its conference play tonight when it hosts the Pride.
VCU (9-8)Virginia Commonwealth University held onto its fourth place position in the CAA with an 82-61 win over William & Mary on Feb. 29. The Rams’ offensive performance was impressive, with senior guard Cyndy Wilks scoring a game-high 28 points with four assists, and junior forward Lauren Hogan scoring 22 points with 2 assists. VCU’s performance tonight at Drexel will determine whether it can remain one of the top four teams in the CAA. Drexel (7-10)Drexel University suffered its third straight loss on Feb. 29, this time to UNC-Wilmington, by a score of 53-40. Drexel’s offensive game was off, as only one player, senior guard Candice Wilkins (10 points), was able to score in double digits. The Dragons’ final conference game, to be played at home against VCU tonight, will determine whether they remain in seventh, or possibly drop down to eighth in the CAA standings.
James Madison (6-11)James Madison University endured its second straight road loss on Feb. 29, falling to the Pride by a score of 76-57. JMU suffered on the offensive end, as it was unable to produce any threats, save team-high scorer, freshman forward Lesley Dickinson (16 points). The Dukes currently sit in eighth place, but have the chance to move up in the CAA standings if they can defeat the lower ranked Towson tonight. William & Mary (6-11)The College of William & Mary was defeated by the VCU Rams on Feb. 29 by a score of 82-61. The Tribe was led by CAA Co-Rookie of the Week, freshman guard Kyra Kaylor (26 points), and senior forward Christin Gethers (20 points). However, their efforts were not enough. The Tribe is currently tied with James Madison for eighth place. The team will look to move up a spot in the CAA standings with an upset at Old Dominion tonight.
Towson (1-16)Towson University lost to Delaware on Feb. 29 by a score of 69-56. Freshman center Kelly Robinson scored a team-high 18 points for the Tigers, and junior guard Brandi Harris scored 16 points, but Towson lacked the additional offensive strength needed to overpower Delaware. Being five games out of ninth place contention, Towson is guaranteed last place in the CAA. The Tigers will finish out season play at James Madison tonight.