This post was written by Hatchet reporter Marty Fenn.

What: Women’s Basketball (19-4, 9-1 A-10) vs. Richmond (9-13, 2-7 A-10).
When: Sunday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. EST
Where: Richmond, Va.

The Colonials stay on the road for a Sunday afternoon clash with the Richmond Spiders after having their 14-game win streak snapped at Fordham on Wednesday night. With the loss, GW fell to 19-4 for the year and 9-1 in the A-10.

The Spiders (9-13, 2-7 A-10) are looking to snap a four-game losing streak after getting handled 73-48 by Saint Louis in their matchup last Wednesday afternoon.

The Case for the Colonials: Coach Tsipis’ team is hoping that the result against Fordham was anomaly. Despite winning the rebounding battle 41-32 and committing just eight turnovers, the Colonials had a tough time shooting the ball, managing just eight points in the first quarter, while also allowing Fordham to shoot 54.2 percent from the field.

While shooting efficiency has been an issue all season for the Colonials, don’t expect the defensive woes to continue. Coach Tsipis has repeatedly stressed the emphasis both he and his players place on the defensive side of the ball, and there should be plenty of motivation to clamp down on the Spiders.

Additionally, GW has seen phenomenal play from graduate guard Lauren Chase in the absence of Jonquel Jones. Chase followed her double-double against Saint Louis with 18 points and eight assists against the Rams, and she has been fantastic in controlling the tempo of the game.

Similarly, sophomore guard Brianna Cummings has only enhanced her game since returning from injury, adding 16 points and seven rebounds in the Fordham game after scoring 18 against the Billikens. Junior Caira Washington has consecutive double-doubles, and sophomore Kelli Prange has been hitting the glass hard.

Everything has been coming together for the Colonials, who have shown that they can win tough games without Jones. With Washington and Prange locking down the paint and Chase, Cummings, and junior Shannon Cranshaw firing on all cylinders from the perimeter, the Colonials should rebound from Fordham in fine fashion against the Spiders.

The Case for the Spiders: Richmond is paced by their guard play, with the likes of Janelle Hubbard and Lauren Tolson leading the way. Though both can fill it up, Richmond doesn’t shoot the ball particularly well, at 36 percent for the season.

Likewise, they average just 55.9 points per game for the year, a number that would be hard-pressed to beat the Colonials. That being said, Fordham was a similar team, and GW’s poor shooting in the first half doomed them in that contest.

With Jones’ status in doubt for the Colonials, look for the Spiders to attack the rim and try to get GW’s bigs into foul trouble. If Richmond can slow the game down, get to the free throw line, and lock up defensively, they might be able to squeak out a win. More shooting woes from the Colonials would help their cause tremendously.