George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
1-2
Towson
0-2
Cummings Powers Women's Hoops Past Towson, 66-43
11/16/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
TOWSON, Md. - Senior Brianna Cummings scored 11 of her game-high 17 points in the third quarter to help key a second-half surge that allowed the George Washington women's basketball team to earn its first win of the season in a 66-43 triumph over Towson on Thursday night at SECU Arena.
Cummings hit 7-of-10 field goals in the game and all three of her free throws to go with five rebounds and five assists. She was joined in double figures by junior Kelsi Mahoney (career-high 12 points) and senior Kelli Prange (11 points). The offensive effort was spread throughout the roster as nine of GW's 10 players that saw action found the basket.
The balanced attack was complemented by a strong defensive effort as GW limited Towson to just 32 percent (16-of-49) shooting for the game. The Colonials routinely harassed the Tigers into poor shot selection throughout the 40 minutes, especially in the second half where the home team hit just four field goals in the third quarter and four in the final stanza.
In total, the Colonials forced a season-high 21 turnovers and converted the giveaways into 26 points on the offensive end. The turnover total included 10 steals by the Colonials, led by three swipes by Cummings and four from junior Mei-Lyn Bautista.
Bautista was her usual efficient self on the offensive end, totaling eight points and four assists with no turnovers to raise her season ratio to 19 dimes and just three giveaways through three games.
The Colonials were shooting the lights out in the first quarter, connecting on 8-of-11 field goals, with three-pointers from Mahoney, senior Camila Tapias and freshman Lexus Levy. The final three ball was a buzzer-beating trey from the corner by Levy to punctuate the frame and give GW a 27-11 lead after one.
GW struggled to continue the momentum in the second quarter, hitting just 2-of-16 attempts, which allowed Towson to cut the deficit to 31-24 at the half.
Cummings single handedly outscored Towson in the third quarter. All 11 of her points came in the final 4:22 of the stanza and served as the foundation of a backbreaking 22-5 run. The final points of the deciding run came on a deep triple from Mahoney, which sent the game to the fourth with the Colonials on top, 52-33.
GW maintained the advantage in the fourth quarter as Bautista scored six of her eight points in the final 10 minutes.
The Colonials' freshman trio again saw significant minutes with all three contributing to the win. Neila Luma earned her second start of the season and responded with a game-high nine rebounds along with six points and a block. Levy finished with five points, one rebound and one assist and Chyna Latimer added two points and a rebound.
The team effort was evident in the assist column as well, where the Colonials totaled 17 helpers on 24 made field goals. Five players finished with multiple assists led by Cummings (5), Bautista (4) and Mahoney (3).
GW will return to action on Sunday afternoon when it hosts Georgetown in a crosstown matchup at the Charles E. Smith Center. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m.
