George Washington University Athletics
Women's Basketball Takes on Xavier at 7PM in Ohio
2/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 3, 2006
Cincinnati, OH - The conference-leading George Washington Colonials (14-5, 7-1) face the Xavier Musketeers (14-6, 5-4) at Cintas Center a day after GW's men's team won there for the first time. This is the second meeting this season with the Colonials winning at home, 64-58 on January 15. It is the 26th contest between the teams with the Colonials holding a 15-10 all-time edge.
In their last meeting, four Colonials scored in double digits led by sophomore Sarah-Jo Lawrence who came off of the bench to score 15 points. Six of GW's players had six or more rebounds taking a 45-39 rebounding advantage. It was Jazmine Adair's first career start and Kenan Cole tied a career high with 14 points. Jessica Simmonds who also had 14 points, tied a career-high with seven assists.
GW held Xavier's leading scorer Tara Booth to 13 points, despite her A-10 leading average of more than 20 per game. Booth scored only three points in the first half but finished the game with the 2,000th point of her career. Suntana Granderson led all scorers with 21 on 20 attempts in the losing effort.
When GW won at Charles E. Smith Athletic Center less than a month ago, it was the Colonials fifth-straight home win a streak that they have extended to nine-consecutive victories. Xavier, however, has also played well at home with a 9-1 record at Cintas Center, with the only loss to a ranked Temple team. In the all-time series between the two, the Colonials have 10-1 edge at home but Xavier has a slight 6-4 advantage in games in Ohio.
GW has won their last two games against Xavier including last year's 75-66 overtime victory at Smith Center. Xavier had won the two previous overtime games between them including a quadruple overtime game in 2003. The Colonials last loss to the Musketeers was last season at Smith Center by a score of 57-42. GW's last win at Cintas Center was on January 3, 2004 by a 65-49 margin.
The Colonials have won 12 of their last 14 games and are ranked 27th in both of this week's national polls. GW was No. 25 in the country in both polls until their only conference loss came in Massachusetts, 55-53. With a win at Xavier the Colonials could crack the Top 25 for the second time this season. The men's team has been ranked all season and both teams were ranked for the first time since 1994. When the GW women joined the men, George Washington was one of just three public schools in the country with both teams ranked nationally. The Colonials next game is Monday at Smith Center at 7:00 p.m. It will mark the first time that GW plays Saint Louis, a newcomer to the Atlantic 10.
