George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
Richmond
Men’s Basketball Hosts Richmond in GW Hoops Doubleheader
1/11/2019 12:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball
GW women’s basketball takes on Dayton at noon in Smith Center; men’s basketball follows with 4 p.m. tip vs. Richmond
TIPPING OFF: The GW men's basketball team will conclude a doubleheader of Colonials hoops action inside Smith Center on Saturday afternoon when it plays host to the Richmond Spiders at 4 p.m. GW women's basketball opens the day with a noon tip against the Dayton Flyers, with both games to be streamed on ESPN+.
LAST TIME OUT: GW started red hot from the field against Dayton on Wednesday night, knocking down its first 10 shots to race out to a 33-11 lead, but the Flyers controlled the second half to take a 72-66 win. DJ Williams scored a career-high 20 points on 9-of-17 shooting and was joined in double figures by Maceo Jack (13), Javier Langarica (12) and Justin Mazzulla (11). Terry Nolan Jr. led GW's effort on the glass for the second straight game with 10 boards, after going for 23 points and 12 rebounds at Saint Joseph's on Sunday. Dayton was led by Jordan Davis' 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting (7-11 3PT).
SERIES HISTORY: The Colonials lead the all-time series 63-37 including a 33-11 advantage in Smith Center. Last season each team protected their home court with Richmond winning 78-68 before GW took a 103-77 victory in Smith Center. In that game, the Colonials shot .689 overall and .727 in the first half (24-33 FG, 6-7 3PT FG). Mazzulla dished a career-high 10 of GW's 30 assists, their most in at least 30 years.
SOPHOMORE FOUR: GW's sophomore class continues to grow as the backbone of the team, with all four members in the starting lineup for the last seven games. Nolan is second on the team in scoring (12.5 ppg) and on Monday was named Co-Atlantic 10 Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career on the heels of a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double at Saint Joseph's (1/6). Langarica, a starter for the first time in his career, had 15 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks vs. American (12/29), and 12 points vs. Dayton (1/9). Jack is averaging 13.5 ppg over the last six, including a career-high 23 vs. Valparaiso (12/8). From his point guard position, Mazzulla has scored in double figures six straight games, including a career-high 19 vs. American.
THREE-POINT THREATS: A pair of sophomores have been GW's main threats from the perimeter this season. Nolan and Jack have combined to knock down 60 of GW's 92 triples this season with Nolan connecting at a team-best .374 (34-91) clip and Jack not far behind at .351 (26-74). Both Jack and Nolan have made at least one three in 14 of 15 games, and Nolan has knocked down multiple triples a team-best 10 times (Jack – 9).
TIP-INS: Mazzulla is the only Colonial to start in all 15 games this season and leads the team in assists and steals … GW's last two victories came after trailing at halftime (previously 0-7 this season in that scenario) … the Colonials finished with a positive margin on the glass for just the third time this season with a 41-39 edge over SJU (also outrebounded Manhattan and Vermont) and were even with Dayton (35-35) as Nolan recorded 10-plus rebounds in both games … GW hit a season-high 10 3-pointers vs. the Flyers.
CLOSING TIME: Under Maurice Joseph the Colonials have a 33-2 record when leading with 5:00 to play. After starting this season 0-8 when trailing or tied with 5:00 to play, GW picked up back-to-back victories in that scenario (trailed by one to American, tied with SJU), before falling to Dayton on Wednesday.
ON GUARD: The Colonials have relied on guard-heavy lineups this season, starting at least four guards in 14 of 15 games, including a five-guard lineup at Princeton on Dec. 1. With Arnaldo Toro out, DJ Williams is GW's leading rebounder at 5.4 per game, and a guard has led the team in rebounds in seven of the eight games without Toro.
