George Washington University Athletics
Women's Basketball Welcomes James Madison on Saturday
11/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 22, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC - The No. 23/21 George Washington women's basketball team hosts regional rival James Madison at the Charles E. Smith Athletic Center on Saturday at 2:00 pm.
Opening Tip
The George Washington University women's basketball team plays host to James Madison in the ninth all-time meeting between the two schools Saturday afternoon. The Colonials have won two of the last three match-ups after dropping their first five games against the region-rival Dukes.
Climbing the Rankings
After entering the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches' Poll last week, GW moved into the Associated Press Top 25 at No. 23 this week following its 2-1 performance at the tough BTI Classic in College Park, MD, last weekend. The Colonials also climbed in the Coaches' Poll, leaping from No. 25 to No. 21. The AP billing is GW's highest since starting the 2002-03 season at No. 21. GW finished the 2005-06 season ranked 25th in the Coaches' Poll after advancing to the second round in its 13th NCAA Tournament appearance. This year's rankings mark the 14th time in the last 17 seasons that GW has entered a national poll.
The Tables Have Turned
The third (1986) and fourth (1987) installments of the GW-JMU series pitted nationally-ranked Dukes teams against the Colonials. No. 17 JMU defeated GW, 61-56, at the Smith Center on Dec. 6, 1986, and the following year No. 20 JMU handed GW an 81-72 overtime home defeat. However, in the most recent match-up, 22nd-ranked GW sprinted past JMU, 88-58, at the 1994 Sun `N Fun Tournament in Miami, FL. This afternoon, GW is once again ranked, 23rd by the AP and 21st in the Coaches' Poll.
Out of the Gates
The Colonials' 4-1 start is their best since opening the 2002-03 campaign with the same mark. The last time GW started the year 5-1 was during the 1998-99 season with wins versus Georgetown, William & Mary, Bowling Green, Seton Hall and 13th-ranked Arkansas. GW's longest winning streak to start a season? 1994-95, when the Colonials reeled off six straight en route to a then school-record 26 victories and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
