Women's Basketball Heads to UMass for Critical Showdown

Wednesday, February 20

Amherst, Mass.

7 p.m.

George Washington University

Massachusetts

Photo by: Erik Schelkun/Elsestar Images

2/19/2019 2:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Colonials and MInutewomen enter play in three-way tie for final hosting position in A-10 tournament

WASHINGTON - GW women's basketball wraps up a road-heavy stretch of its schedule with a visit to Massachusetts on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed live via ESPN+. The Colonials and Minutewomen enter Wednesday's contest tied for eighth place in the league standings, along with George Mason. Seeds 3-8 host a first round matchup in the upcoming Atlantic 10 tournament.

PLAY 4 KAY: As part of the annual #Play4Kay initiative, GW is taking part in the Kay Yow Fund's Free Throw Challenge during the month of February. Fans can donate a specific amount for each free throw made or a flat donation, all of which goes toward the fund. The Colonials have connected on 34 free throws so far in their first three games with four remaining. As of now, each free throw make is worth $25 based on individual contributions. Additionally, GW has raised $1,194 in flat donations and fundraising at home games. At the current pace, GW would donate more than $2,500 to the Kay Yow Fund.

FINDING HER FOOTING: Kayla Mokwuah continued her tremendous play in recent weeks by putting up a career-best 16 points for the second straight game at Dayton on Sunday. Mokwuah also matched or tied career-highs in field goal makes (7), rebounds (6), assists (3) and minutes played (29). Mokwuah has played double-digit minutes in each of the last five games, earned via a renewed effort and intensity in practice. She's reached double figures in three straight games, and is averaging 13.0 ppg while shooting 54.8% from the floor in the last four contests.

START ME UP: Mokwuah earned her first career start on Sunday at Dayton, becoming the ninth different Colonial to start at least one game so far this season. This is the fourth straight year in which GW has employed at least nine starters in a season dating back to 2015-16 when the Buff & Blue had 10 different starters.

HISTORY VS. MASSACHUSETTS: GW and Massachusetts square off for their only matchup of the regular season on Wednesday, as has been the case the last four seasons. The Colonials have won six straight matchups in the series, including a 55-49 triumph at the Smith Center last year. GW is making its first appearance at the Mullins Center in over two years, which resulted in a 64-59 double-overtime victory for the visitors. The Colonials are 15-10 all-time in Amherst, including three straight victories.

A LOOK AT THE MINUTEWOMEN: GW and UMass enter Wednesday's matchup with identical 5-7 conference marks and with an opportunity to still host a first round game in the upcoming Atlantic 10 tournament. The Minutewomen have lost back-to-back games, most recently at home to Davidson, 64-49, but have gone 3-3 on their home floor thus far in conference play. Hailey Leidel is the team's top offensive threat as the only player averaging double figures at 13.0 ppg.