George Washington University Athletics
George Washington Pounds Central Michigan, 94-62
11/26/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Colonials Advance To Tournament Title Game
DALLAS, TX (Nov. 26) -- Five Colonials scored in double figures as George Washington defeated Central Michigan, 94-62, this afternoon in the first round of the Southern Methodist University Hoops For The Cure Tournament in Moody Coliseum. GW plays SMU, a 93-59 victor over Texas Southern, in the championship game of the tournament Saturday at 2:00 pm (CST).
All-American guard Elisa Aguilar led GW (2-1) with 19 points on the strength of 5-9 shooting from three-point land. Senior forward Starr Jefferson tallied her first career double-double with a career high 10 points and career high 11 rebounds.
"She's (Jefferson) earned a starting spot because she works so hard and just battles and bangs, and I give her all of the credit in the world," said Head Coach Joe McKeown. "Aguilar is getting her game back after the off-season surgery. If she's scoring 19 points when she isn't 100%, I can't wait to see what she does when she's 100%."
Jefferson's frontcourt presence helped GW dominate the paint. GW outrebounded CMU 53-36. The Colonials were particularly tough under the defensive boards, outrebounding CMU 30-7 under the Chippewas' glass.
"That's what I need to be doing every day," said Jefferson. "I need to come in here and get a double-double every game. I'm happy with my performance, but I need to make it a consistent thing now. I need to be strong in the paint and pull down 10 rebounds every game."
Junior forward Petra Dubovcova scored 11 points in 18 minutes of action. Junior guard Kristeena Alexander scored 10 points and dished three assists in 18 minutes off the bench, and senior guard Marlo Egleston scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds and five steals in 22 minutes.
Once again this season high-pressure, trapping defense was the catalyst for the Colonials. GW forced Central Michigan (0-2) into 24 turnovers, while the Colonials tallied 14 steals.
"We broke the game open with a lot of pressure defense," said McKeown. "We're also starting to shoot the ball better from behind the three-point line. That's the big key for us because we have so many good shooters. When Aguilar and Egleston and Joens start making threes, we're a much better team."
GW shot 44.8% (13-29) from three-point range, 57.1% (8-14) in the second half.
After holding a 42-30 advantage at intermission, GW led 57-44 with 13:40 remaining in the game when the floodgates opened on Central Michigan. Egleston hit two three-pointers and Aguilar hit one to give GW a 66-44 advantage with 11:59 remaining to play. Junior center LeslieCarlson made layups on consecutive possessions to push the lead to 70-44 with 9:56 remaining. Two free throws from Aguilar and one from Carlson increased the GW lead to 73-44 with 8:18 remaining. Central Michigan committed four turnovers and missed six shots during the GW run.
Carlson scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds in 20 minutes for GW. She also added three assists and issued one block.
"We're balanced," said Jefferson. "Everyone on the team is capable of having a big game every time we step on the floor. Unlike in past seasons, you can't stop the team by stopping one player."
Guard Jodi Culbertson led Central Michigan with 15 points on the strength of 5-11 three-point shooting. So Winner
