MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – Going into the 2011-12 season, the West Virginia University women’s basketball team knew that the year wasn’t going to be easy.
The team suffered its first loss of the season to St.
Bonaventure on Friday night at the Coliseum. It was a rough outing for the young team, as they struggled to stay out of foul trouble while trying to find a consistent scoring rhythm.
Coach Carey attributed the team’s loss to a lack of offense, not defense. The Mountaineers (1-1) held the Bonnies (3-0) to just 32.7 percent (16-of-49) from the field and to just 31.3 percent (5-of-16) shooting from beyond the arc. It was costly foul trouble and poor shooting on West Virginia’s end that allowed the Bonnies to stay ahead, as they took advantage by shooting 90.5 percent (19-of-21) from the charity stripe.
“Shoot 28 percent from the floor and 52 percent from the foul line, and you are probably not going to win,” Carey said after the game. “There is a good chance you are not going to win. We fouled them at the end and put them at the line, without that, we probably would have held them in the 40’s. Again, if you hold a team to 32 percent from the floor, that is pretty good as a team. They sagged on us and didn’t press us and we shot 28 percent.”
West Virginia has a chance to bounce back on Sunday afternoon when it plays host to North Carolina Central in a 2 p.m. tip.
Leading scorers for North Carolina Central include junior guard Chasidy Williams, who averages 16.0 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game. She’s followed by senior guard Blair Houston who averages 7.3 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game. Junior guard Jasmine Alston rounds out the top three scorers, averaging 5.3 points per game.
"They are athletic," Carey said. "They are not going to be as patient, but they are going to drive you. They are going to get up and down the floor and they like to play mostly man. They get out into you, they don’t play soft and double in there. They will double the post some."
Last year, the Mountaineers saw five players post double-digit scoring performances against the Eagles (0-3) en route to a 71-39 victory. Liz Repella paced the team with 17 points, and was followed by Madina Ali and Korinne Campbell with 11 each, and Asya Bussie and Jess Harlee who each scored 10.
Despite being limited to only three points against St. Bonaventure, Taylor Palmer continues to lead the Mountaineers in scoring, averaging 18 points per game. She is followed by Christal Caldwell, who posts an average of 11 points per game.
On the defensive end, Ayana Dunning continues to pace West Virginia in rebounding, as she averages 12.5 boards per game. She’s followed by Asya Bussie, who averages 8.5 rebounds per game.
The first 500 fans at Sunday’s game will receive wristbands provided by EZToUse.com. Mini USA flags will also be handed out on a first-come first-serve basis as part of Military Appreciation Day.
The team suffered its first loss of the season to St.
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| Sophomore Jess Harlee posted her first career double-double against St. Bonaventure on Friday night with 12 points and 12 rebounds. |
| All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks Photo |
Coach Carey attributed the team’s loss to a lack of offense, not defense. The Mountaineers (1-1) held the Bonnies (3-0) to just 32.7 percent (16-of-49) from the field and to just 31.3 percent (5-of-16) shooting from beyond the arc. It was costly foul trouble and poor shooting on West Virginia’s end that allowed the Bonnies to stay ahead, as they took advantage by shooting 90.5 percent (19-of-21) from the charity stripe.
“Shoot 28 percent from the floor and 52 percent from the foul line, and you are probably not going to win,” Carey said after the game. “There is a good chance you are not going to win. We fouled them at the end and put them at the line, without that, we probably would have held them in the 40’s. Again, if you hold a team to 32 percent from the floor, that is pretty good as a team. They sagged on us and didn’t press us and we shot 28 percent.”
West Virginia has a chance to bounce back on Sunday afternoon when it plays host to North Carolina Central in a 2 p.m. tip.
Leading scorers for North Carolina Central include junior guard Chasidy Williams, who averages 16.0 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game. She’s followed by senior guard Blair Houston who averages 7.3 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game. Junior guard Jasmine Alston rounds out the top three scorers, averaging 5.3 points per game.
"They are athletic," Carey said. "They are not going to be as patient, but they are going to drive you. They are going to get up and down the floor and they like to play mostly man. They get out into you, they don’t play soft and double in there. They will double the post some."
Last year, the Mountaineers saw five players post double-digit scoring performances against the Eagles (0-3) en route to a 71-39 victory. Liz Repella paced the team with 17 points, and was followed by Madina Ali and Korinne Campbell with 11 each, and Asya Bussie and Jess Harlee who each scored 10.
Despite being limited to only three points against St. Bonaventure, Taylor Palmer continues to lead the Mountaineers in scoring, averaging 18 points per game. She is followed by Christal Caldwell, who posts an average of 11 points per game.
On the defensive end, Ayana Dunning continues to pace West Virginia in rebounding, as she averages 12.5 boards per game. She’s followed by Asya Bussie, who averages 8.5 rebounds per game.
The first 500 fans at Sunday’s game will receive wristbands provided by EZToUse.com. Mini USA flags will also be handed out on a first-come first-serve basis as part of Military Appreciation Day.
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