George Washington University Athletics
Women's Basketball Dominates In Exhibition Game
11/5/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Washington, DC (November 5, 2000) - Four of the five Colonials starters scored in double figures as the women's basketball team crushed the University of Latvia team 106-52 at Smith Center Sunday afternoon, November 5.
GW, playing in its only exhibition game this season, overmatched the smaller and slower Latvian team. The Colonials were nearly unstoppable inside, scoring at will. Junior forward Elena Vishniakova made her Colonials debut, sitting out last year after transferring from the University of Georgia. It was a coming out party for the talented post player, scoring 12 points, gathering up nine boards in 19 minutes of play.
Unlike last season when GW utilized a four guard rotation on offense, the Colonials will outsize a majority of their opponents with six players over 6'2". However, team quickness has not suffered despite the move toward a taller line-up.
Coach Joe McKeown believes that the key to the Colonials offense this year will be offensive and defensive intensity. "We have a lot more size this year, but we're still athletic enough to run and press," stated McKeown, "however, we'd be foolish not to take advantage of our size."
The size advantage was evident against Latvia with GW out-rebounding the shorter team 62-36. Erica Lawrence led GW with 14 points with four other Colonials scoring in double figures. All the Colonials saw time today, with the exception of Cathy Joens who is recovering from knee surgery, with 11 of the 12 players scoring.
"It's good to play against teams with different styles of play," McKeown said of Latvia. "We were also able to have everyone contribute on the team."
The Colonials will open the regular season hosting the University of Delaware on Friday, November 10, in the first round of the Preseason WNIT. If GW is victorious on Friday, they would play either Virginia or Mount St. Mary's on Sunday, November 12.
