George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
Pepperdine
Women's Basketball Takes Second Place in Pepperdine Holiday Classic
12/31/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MALIBU, CA - (Dec. 29) - The Colonials were unable to complete a second-half comeback against the Pepperdine Waves, as they rallied from a 16-point deficit, losing 74-72 in the championship game at the Pepperdine Holiday Classic.
Junior guard Cathy Joens led GW's attack in the second half after trailing 37-23 at the break. Joens hit three shots from beyond the arc in the second half, and scored a team-high 17 points. The Colonials rally began with 18:36 remaining in the game. Down by 16 points, 43-27, GW went on a 24-9 run over the next five minutes to pull within one point, 52-51.
The Waves never allowed the Colonials to tie or take the lead after the Colonials pulled within one, stretching the deficit to eight points with just over five minutes left in the game. GW would not go quietly, chipping away at the lead and again cut the difference to one point, 70-69 with just 1:50 remaining in the game. Pepperdine pulled away in the closing moments, scoring four of the game's five final points to claim the victory 74-72.
Joens, who also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, was named to the all-tournament team after averaging 16 points and five rebounds during the two-game tournament. Joens also shot .500 (5-10) from beyond the arc for the tournament. Sophomore center Ugo Oha was also named to the all-tournament team after averaging 14.5 points and 6 rebounds on the weekend, and notching three blocks.
GW (5-6) advanced to the final after winning their first game versus Oklahoma State, 60-58. Joens and Oha each scored 15 points to hold off the Cowgirls and earn a spot in the championship game against Pepperdine.
Oklahoma State had a chance to tie the game and send it to overtime in the final seconds when the Cowgirls' Kara Faulk was fouled while attempting a three-point shot with two seconds remaining. The senior forward was able to convert just one of three free throw attempts and GW escaped with the victory.
