This post was written by Hatchet staff writer Nora Princiotti.
The Colonials 75-73 win over the Golden Bears – who made it to the Final Four last season – was a huge upset and GW’s first win over a top ten team since they bested No. 8/10 California back in 2008.
But fifth-year forward Megan Nipe says she knew her team would beat Cal on Friday – she’d been sure all week.
“My belief to beat Cal started on Monday,” Nipe said. “I think we prepared all week and we knew that not only could we compete but we could win.”
Call it a premonition or oversized confidence, either way, Nipe was right.
She propelled her team there, scoring a career high 31 points, while nabbing seven rebounds, an assist, a steal and two game saving charges in the final minute. In the second half alone, Nipe scored 22 points – more than 50 percent of the Colonials 41 points in the half.
Her dominant performance helped the Colonials overcome a 34-41 halftime deficit, even after GW had lead by as many as six points in the first half. She played smart – tapping an assist to freshman Caira Washington and then nabbing a steal that led to a drawn foul and two made free throws – all in the first minute of the second half.
“Honestly I didn’t realize I had that many points until probably the last couple minutes of the game and it didn’t really change how I was playing,” Nipe said.
Nipe has been superb out of the gates in her fifth year with the team. She put up 29 in an exhibition game against Young Harris and another 20 point game in the season opener against Jackson State. Head coach Jonathan Tsipis assumes that at this point she’s automatic.
“When the ball leaves Meg Nipe’s hands I’m kind of shocked when it doesn’t go in and obviously that’s not just tonight; she’s had such a great preseason,” Tsipis said.
She’s not immune to nerves, though. The 6’0” graduate student said she felt “a little nauseous before the game,” but on the court, she didn’t worry or change course when shots didn’t fall. Her career night started slow – she missed her first two shots and didn’t score until 7:22 had passed in the game.
“I missed a few shots, but as a shooter you can’t really stop shooting because that’s what the team needs you to do,” Nipe said.
So she kept shooting, like her team needed, and kept GW at pace with the Golden Bears. Nipe ended her night shooting 55 percent from the field including a 4-9 performance on three pointers. Nipe’s presence from downtown, especially, helped the Colonials make up for lost ground in the paint, where Cal outscored them 28-44.
Nipe’s early season success isn’t just a sign that her strong senior year wasn’t a fluke, it’s a sign that the Colonials are for real and have a chance at making some noise this year. With a go-to scorer in Nipe, the rest of the pieces are falling into place. GW has it’s explosive point guard, it’s defensive leach, it’s energetic freshman and now it has a 2-0 start.
Coach Tsipis was obviously excited about his team’s stunning win, but he said he also knows Nipe is already looking ahead – always with an eye towards accomplishing her chief goal for the season.
“I know Danni and Meg have talked about they want to be responsible to put one of those banners up there. They walk in every day and see that and that’s the one thing they’ve not done yet,” Tsipis said.
If the upsets continue, Nipe may be able to check that box off her list.
