George Washington University
1-1
American
1-0
GW Women's Hoops Holds Off American, 63-52
11/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
 |  | Follow @GW_WBB |
Nov. 17, 2014
WASHINGTON - The George Washington women's basketball team outscored American, 24-8, over the final 8:45 to rally for a 63-52 victory over the host Eagles in their season opener on Monday evening at Bender Arena.
Freshman Kelli Prange, the reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week, again led the Colonials in scoring with 16 points and added nine rebounds, while classmate Brianna Cummings posted her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Senior Chakecia Miller added 12 points and six boards.
American (0-1) led early, but GW (1-1) used a 16-2 run over a nearly nine-minute stretch to take a 10-point lead, 21-11, with a three-pointer by sophomore Hannah Schaible putting the Colonials on top at the 13:25 mark. GW led, 27-19, at the break.
Prange opened the second half with a layup, but the Eagles rallied with a 16-6 run to tie the game at 35-35 midway through the period. Sophomore Caira Washington's second straight layup on the Colonials' next possession briefly put GW ahead, but AU used another 9-2 spurt to take a 44-39 lead with nine minutes left.
Following a GW timeout, Prange sank a jumper in the paint, sparking the Colonials' game-ending run. GW regained the lead with 12 straight points over a span of four minutes, as its defense forced turnovers on three straight American possessions, with Cummings coming up with the steal on back-to-back plays.
Leading by five with 3:35 left, Miller drained a three-pointer and Cummings completed a three-point play to open a double-digit lead and seal the victory.
For the second straight game, GW held a commanding advantage on the boards, outrebounding the Eagles, 46-32, including 17-5 on the offensive glass. Washington and Schaible each had eight rebounds.
Jen Dumiak led American with 13 points, six rebounds and seven assists, while Michelle Holmes tallied 12 points and eight boards.
The Colonials return to action on Wednesday evening when they host Bowie State in their home opener at the Charles E. Smith Center. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.
