By Alden Detmer
The George Washington women’s basketball team (3-1) extended their home win streak to 3-0 with a 65-54 win over the Long Island Sharks (0-5) Saturday evening in a high-intensity battle.
Four players for the Revolutionaries brought in double-digit point totals, with Gabby Reynolds and Sara Lewis leading the way with 15 points apiece.
“It was the result we wanted, but there were a lot of [offensive plays] that I wish we’d executed differently and [plays] where we could have been more connected on the defensive end,” GW women’s basketball coach Ganiyat Adeduntan said.
Even as some early-season kinks were visible, the Revs outscored LIU 16-9 in the second quarter and led for 91% of the game, putting together a strong offensive performance that could carry the team into the playoffs.
“We have a pretty full roster of players who can score, so it makes me happy to see multiple players in double digits because it tells me we’re playing team basketball,” Adeduntan said of the team’s 15 assists on the night. “We’re finding each other and playing selflessly, which is everything we want to stand for when it comes to our identity.”
After the Revolutionaries cruised to a 9-0 lead following the opening tip, the Sharks adapted to GW’s style of play and went on a 14-2 run backed by nine points from Long Island’s Leila Nunez. The Revs battled back in the second quarter, adding five points in the paint and six from the bench to lead 36-26 going into the halftime break.
“It wasn’t easy,” said Sara Lewis of her game-leading 13 rebounds. “Staying disciplined and consistently crashing, even when you might not get it, will get you the ball more often than if you never do it. It’s about being consistent and always looking for the ball and fighting.”
The Revs opened scoring out of the halftime break with a steal and free throws from Gabby Reynolds. GW shot 76% from the line compared with 62.5% from the visitors.
“Free throws are very important,” Lewis said. “We’ve been getting in the gym and shooting free throws, and that helps our connectivity too. But, it’s about understanding that once we get to the line, you take your time and knock it down.”
Several players went down hard in the fourth quarter. GW’s Alicia Newell and LIU’s Janessa Williams and Sydney Huskey each landed awkwardly and had to be helped off the court. GW’s Anne Bair, meanwhile, played in a face mask after breaking her nose Wednesday against Georgetown.
“No one was going to tell [Bair] she couldn’t come back in, except me,” Adeduntan said. “I can’t speak for Long Island, but in a game that’s played like that, it has to be controlled, right? If it’s not controlled, then those things happen.”
GW will face Temple at home on Tuesday, where Jonquel Jones’ jersey will be retired before a 6 p.m. tip-off.
