George Washington University
<b>DUQUESNE</b>
Adair Double-Double Helps GW Survive Duquesne, 85-82
1/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 24, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC - Senior Jessica Adair posted an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double as George Washington placed five players in double-figures for the second straight game and held off a late Duquesne rally in an 85-82 victory Saturday at Charles E. Smith Center.
The victory was the fourth straight for GW, which improved to 11-8 overall and 3-1 in Atlantic 10 play. The Colonials are 23-0 all-time against the Dukes at Smith Center and 47-5 all-time.
The double-double was Adair's second of the season and 14th of her career. Senior Antelia Parrish followed Adair with 15 points, senior Yolanda Lavender added 12 points and seven assists and sophomore Erica Rivera and freshman Tiana Myers each matched career-highs with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Freshman Tara Booker led all players with a career-high 12 rebounds and chipped in eight points.
Duquesne (11-8, 1-3 A-10) managed to whittle GW's 18-point first-half lead to single digits in the final minute. Eve Pyle knocked down a three-pointer to pull the Dukes within 84-79 - their smallest deficit since the 18:39 mark of the first half - with 24 seconds left. Lavender hit the second of two free throws to put GW up six, but Kristi Little hit a three to make it a one-possession game, 85-82, with 14 seconds to play.
Lavender was fouled on the inbounds, but missed both foul shots and Duquesne called timeout on the rebound with eight seconds remaining. The Dukes ran a high screen for Kelly Britcher, but her three-point attempt with a second to play missed to give the Colonials the victory.
The Colonials shot a season-best 53.2 percent (25-of-47) en route to the season-high 85 points. The teams' combined for 50 personal fouls and 70 free throws, with GW converting only 28-of-46 foul shots (60.9 percent).
Jessica Adair and Parrish combined for 21 points as GW raced out to a 45-27 halftime lead. The Colonials scored the first eight points of the game and led 24-9 with 9:49 left in the half, but the Dukes used a 9-2 run the next 2:11 to close within single-digits at 26-18.
GW answered with a 19-5 spurt - sparked by seven points from Parrish and Lavender - to grab its largest lead of the game, 45-23, with 1:06 to play in the period.
Duquesne slowly chipped into GW's lead during the second half behind leading scorer Kristi Little, Samantha Pollino and Alex Gensler, who scored 46 of the Dukes' 55 points in the period. Gensler, who finished with 12 points, hit a three with 13:03 remaining to make it 56-48, but Duquesne wouldn't get any closer than eight until the final minute. Little and Pollino each scored 17 points in the second half and finished with 29 and 19, respectively. Little also had eight steals.
GW seeks to extend its season-long winning streak to five when it visits Dayton Wednesday at 7:00 pm.
