University of Richmond Athletics
Women's Basketball Preview: Richmond vs. GW
01/09/2009 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2009
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
The women's basketball team (12-3) will open Atlantic 10 conference play versus George Washington (7-7) Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Robins Center. Richmond is ranked 20th in the nation in the latest RPI standings, higher than any other Atlantic 10 team.
Defense was key as Richmond knocked off No. 25 Wake Forest (12-1) 45-33 Tuesday night in the Robins Center. The Spiders forced 29 Demon Deacon turnovers as they secured their first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 19 Temple 56-54 Feb. 12, 2006. Junior Nikita Thomas recorded her fifth double-double with 10 points and a career-high 12 rebounds.
George Washington is coming off a 78-68 loss to Rice on Monday. Senior Jessica Adair scored a season-high 26 points.
"GW presents a huge challenge for us," said head coach Michael Shafer. "They are a typical GW team in that they are big, athletic, physical and have played a very tough schedule to prepare for the A-10 schedule. "
George Washington has dropped three of its last four, with two of the three losses coming against ranked teams (#15 Rutgers, #3 Texas A&M). The Colonials have won the past five meetings against the Spiders, with the last win coming Feb. 27, 2008 in the Robins Center. George Washington won 75-59, with senior Sarah Jo Lawrence scoring a game-high 19 points.
"This game caps off what has been a very physical week for us after playing Maryland and Wake Forest," said Shafer. "We are very excited to get the conference portion of our schedule started."
Richmond travels to Philadelphia next Wednesday for a noon tip-off versus La Salle.
