Women's Basketball Returns to Action at William & Mary Saturday

Saturday, December 29

Williamsburg, Va.

2 p.m.

George Washington University

William & Mary

Photo by: AP

Women's Basketball Returns to Action at William & Mary Saturday

12/28/2018 12:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Colonials encounter Tribe in Williamsburg at 2 p.m.

WASHINGTON - GW women's basketball travels to Williamsburg, Va. on Saturday for its final road non-conference game of the campaign, facing the William & Mary Tribe. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. from Kaplan Arena. Saturday's game will be available on TribeAthletics.tv through William & Mary's website. The live stream is free of charge.

LAST TIME OUT: The Buff & Blue are aiming to snap a four-game skid in the month of December following a 61-53 loss to Mercer on Dec. 21. GW faced an uphill climb against defending Southern Conference champion Mercer but showed resiliency in responding from multiple double-digit deficits. The Colonials surged as close as six before falling by eight. GW shot 54.5 percent (6-for-11) in both the second and third quarters, tying for the second-best shooting quarters of the season. Overall, the Colonials enjoyed their third-best shooting day of the season at 40.0 percent (16-for-45).

BALANCING THE LOAD: Balance has been a necessity for GW this season with senior Anna Savino becoming the eighth different Colonial to reach double figures in at least one game. Savino had a career day against Mercer with 12 points on four three-pointers. Seven of the Buff & Blue's 10 players who have appeared in a game have either tied or set a new career high in scoring at some point this season.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD: Senior Mei-Lyn Bautista and sophomore Neila Luma have carried the load for GW through the majority of non-conference play, but their scoring pace has slowed recently with the pair combining to record 15 points (Bautista - 4, Luma - 11) over the last two games. In their place, GW has seen increased production from bench players such as Chyna Latimer (8.0ppg/2.5rpg) and Olivia Gumbs (6.0ppg/5.5rpg). The Colonials' bench has accounted for 38 of 83 points (45.8 percent) in the last two games.

MAHON-THREE: Senior Kelsi Mahoney has found a knack for the big 3 in her time at Foggy Bottom, hitting at least one triple in 31 straight games dating back to last season's conference opener at Fordham (12/31/17). Central Michigan's Presley Hudson holds the longest active streak in the nation at 48 games. Mahoney moved into 15th place at GW with her 106th career long ball last time out vs. Mercer.

A LOOK AT THE TRIBE: William & Mary is back in action following a 55-44 triumph over Norfolk State last Friday (Dec. 21). The Tribe has won three of the last four games overall, including a 65-55 defeat of A-10 member Richmond. W&M has faced three A-10 opponents thus far in VCU (L 72-55), Davidson (L 76-65) and Richmond.

Defense has been the key to success for the Tribe, which has held its opponents to 55 points or fewer in five of its six wins and six times overall. Bianca Boggs has been the best all-around performer for William & Mary, averaging 15.1 ppg and 6.4 rpg. She also leads the team in assists (42), blocks (tied, 7) and steals (28). Victoria Reynolds (11.0 ppg) and Harper Birdsong (10.5) also average double figures for the Tribe.