The clock is ticking down on the regular season, but the GW women’s basketball team appears poised for a late charge. With a league title in their sights, the Colonials (16-7, 9-3 Atlantic 10) have just four regular season games remaining.
GW is currently battling Richmond (18-5, 9-3 A-10) and Xavier (10-2, 15-7 A-10) for A-10 West supremacy. The Colonials are currently tied for second place with the Spiders and sit one game behind first-place Xavier. GW swept two games from Richmond this season and lost to Xavier 57-42 in Ohio on Jan. 16.
The Colonials’ next task will be their final road game of the year against St. Joseph’s Thursday at 7 p.m. Last weekend, GW went 2-0 on the road with wins over Duquesne and Richmond.
Last season, GW struggled against St. Joe’s, falling to the Hawks 64-62 in the teams’ only meeting of the regular season. In March, the Hawks beat the Colonials 70-57 in the A-10 Tournament semifinal.
However, this is not the same St. Joseph’s team that advanced to the A-10 championship game last year. The Hawks are just 6-18 overall and just 4-8 in A-10 play.
“This team lost a lot of seniors from last year and has struggled for the first time in a long time,” GW coach Joe McKeown said. “We just need to build off of last week’s success and keep up the momentum.”
Sunday, the Colonials return home for the first time in two weeks to square off against Xavier in a match-up that could determine the A-10 West champion. GW will play its final three games at home, and will then try to defend its Smith Center court during the A-10 Tournament March 4-7.
“We need to do a much better offensively this time (against Xavier),” McKeown said. “We didn’t shoot the ball well, we turned it over and we were just completely out of sink in Ohio.”
Last season the Colonials needed a miracle to defeat the Musketeers at the Smith Center. Senior Anna Monta?ana hit a three-pointer from just over the half court line as time expired to give the Colonials a 66-64 victory.
“I think we will be ready to play that game Sunday,” McKeown added.
If the Colonials are able to continue winning, they could be locked in a three-way tie for first place by weekend’s end.
“To play for first place this late in the season is a position you fight to be in,” McKeown said. “I think our team has battled hard and they have had to overcome a lot of adversity including injuries, lineup changes and a really tough schedule. I think it’s terrific that with a week left in the season that we will be playing for first place. I am really proud of this team.”
GW has won the A-10 West the past three years. If the Colonials finish either first or second they will receive a first round bye in the conference tourney.
“It’s definitely a goal that we have,” McKeown said.
LoCascio still out
Sophomore Amanda LoCascio will not be in action this weekend. McKeown said he is hopeful the point guard will play in the Colonials’ final two regular season games and in the A-10 tourney. The point guard is still nursing an ankle sprain that has kept her sidelined for several weeks.
