George Washington University Athletics
Aguilar, Dubovcova Lead GW Over Howard, 79-65
11/22/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
WASHINGTON, DC (Nov. 22) -- Senior All-American guard Elisa Aguilar hit three three-pointers over a 30 span late in the second half to break open a close game and lead George Washington to a 79-65 victory over visiting Howard tonight in Smith Center.
With GW leading 61-55 with 6:53 remaining in the game, Aguilar picked Chanell Washington's pocket and hit a three-pointer to expand the lead to 64-55. Washington turned it over again to GW's Kristeena Alexander after the inbounds pass, and Alexander found Aguilar deep in the left corner for another trey to make it 67-55. Alexander swiped the ball away from Asia Petty after the inbounds pass and found Aguilar to the right of the top of the key, and Aguilar drained a 25-foot three-pointer to increase the Colonials' cushion to 70-55 with 6:23 to play.
"Great players deliver when you need them to," said GW Head Coach Joe McKeown. "Aguilar is a great player, and she definitely delivered."
Aguilar, an Atlantic 10 Conferencepreseason first-team all-conference pick and Player of the Year candidate, finished the game with 17 points, including five three-pointers, four assists and four rebounds.
George Washington (1-1) junior forward Petra Dubovcova was the story of the game until Aguilar's long distance barrage, tallying her fifth career double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds. The 6-3 forward was 8-9 from the free throw line after taking a beating in the paint. Her point production was just four points shy of her career high.
GW relied once again on a smothering defense to try to keep Howard (0-1) from executing their half-court offense.
"Our goal was to make then make plays, rather than running their offense," said McKeown. "I think we did that."
GW's high-pressure defense forced Howard into 32 turnovers for the game. The Howard backcourt also did not make any three-point shots.
GW led by as many as 11 points in the first half before leading 41-32 at intermission. The Colonials increased the lead to 54-39 with 14:24 remaining before Howard was able to claw their way back into the game. Alana Lambert's free throw with 8:07 remaining cut the GW lead to 61-55. The comeback bid was stifled, however, by Aguilar.
Junior forward Mona Gail Baker led the Lady Bison with 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Sophomore center Andrea Gardner tallied a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
McKeown improved his career record to 293-106 in 14 seasons with the win as the head coach closes in on career victory No. 300.
George Washington returns to action Friday with a 1:00 pm (CST) game against Central Michigan in the Southern Methodist University tournament in Dallas, TX. GW will then play either SMU or Texas Southern Saturday at either 11:30 am or 2:00 pm (CST) in either the championship or consolation game of the tournament.
