By Elliott Bell
With the game already decided, seniors Tara Dilworth and Staceyann Claxton departed to a standing ovation in their final home game against James Madison University on Sunday.
The inspired play from the seniors and a huge effort off the bench from Shalamar Oakley led the Pride to a 76-57 walloping of JMU.
The win also ensured the Pride of a winning record for the first time since the 1993-1994 team was 14-13.
“This is just amazing,” Dilworth said. “After the first couple of years and making the transition from the America East Conference I didn’t think this would ever happen. But this is just a great way to go out as a senior.”
However, the season is far from over. The win improves the teams record to 14-12 overall and 11-6 in the Colonial Athletic Association and provides a fitting lift into the conference tournament.
The Pride is currently tied for second place with George Mason University, but GMU owns the tie-breaker by virtue of beating the Pride twice this season. Additionally, there are three teams tied for fourth place.
Nothing will be decided until all the games are finished, but the Pride will most likely be looking at a first round bye with the way the tournament is set up. Yet, you won’t find this team looking too far ahead.
“We don’t look at anything other than the moment we are in,” coach Felisha Legette Jack said. Jack stressed that looking ahead is not something this team will do.
“Our focus is on UNC Wilmington and how we are going to stop a great player like Cherie Lea. We can’t focus on anything else if we want to be successful,” Jack said.
Still, the Pride will savor this win. On senior night it was the seniors who carried the workload. Claxton, Dilworth, Rume Pela and Urszula Smolarek, who were honored in pre and post game ceremonies, combined for 26 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks.
However, the star of the game was Oakley. She dazzled the fans with her electric play and scoring touch dropping in a career high 23 points. Oakley has made herself right at home this season.
In her nine conference home games she is averaging a team second-best 11.3 points, while on the road that number dips to 8.3 per game.
The Pride got off to a blistering start sparked by an 18-2 run early in the game that proved to be fatal for JMU. Dilworth contributed early with strong play down low and hit a three from the top of the key. She ended up with 10 points and 5 steals.
Other key contributors to the win were Amaka Agugua who dropped in 10 points and 10 boards, and Claxton added 11 and 5 assists.
The Pride returns to action on Friday, March 5 when it travels to UNC Wilmington for the regular season finale.
Beyond the Arc
The main goal for the Pride continues to be playing tough aggressive defense.
“We have to continue to focus on our defense. Our goal all year has been to hold teams under 59 points,” Jack stressed.
In its last 25 games the Pride is 21-4 when holding its opponents to under 60 (6-2 this season)
Pela had four blocks which put her over the 100 mark for her career. She is currently third in team history with 103.
The 43 first half points against James Madison on Sunday was a season-high for a first half.
Junior forward Amaka Agugua is shooting a blistering 66.6 % (56-84) from the field in her last 11 games.
The Pride’s true freshmen (Oakley, Murphy, Lana Harshaw and Vanessa Gidden) have a combined 29 double figure scoring games this season. When one or more of the freshmen score in double figures the Pride’s record is 12-6.