CAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL RECAP - JAN. 26
Ben Kane
Drexel 64, Elon 37
Box Score
First-half defensive dominance propelled Drexel (9-8, 5-2) to a 64-37 victory over Elon (11-7, 5-2).
Allowing 13 first-half points, the Dragons were locked in defensively forcing Elon to 3 for 26 shooting from the field, with all its makes coming on 3-pointers. Although the turnover battle was a close 12-7 in the first, Drexel capitalized with 16 of its 34 points coming off turnovers, and 22 coming in the paint. Amaris Baker was on fire in the opening half, with 11 of her team-best 24 points coming in the half on 4-8 shooting. Chloe Hodges added a double-double (11 pts/10 reb) for the Dragons. Kierra Morrow and Jayda Angel led the Phoenix with nine points apiece.
N.C. A&T 63, Hofstra 44
Box Score
Chaniya Clark filled out the stat sheet en route to N.C. A&T’s (11-8, 7-1) 63-44 win over Hofstra (9-9, 4-3).
With 19 points and 15 rebounds, Clark had herself a day, setting a season-high in boards. In the second half alone, the center recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists, making her biggest impact in the fourth quarter. Clark found the scoresheet 40 seconds into the lane, converting a driving layup to give the Aggies a 41-37 lead. Six minutes later, she was back in the action, scoring two straight layups and putting the game out of reach for the Pride. Emma Von Essen was Hofstra’s leading scorer with 14 points.
William & Mary 58, Towson 47
Box Score
A strong defensive performance gave Wiliam & Mary (8-10, 5-2) a 58-47 win over Towson (4-14, 2-5).
The Tribe allowed its fewest points since a 66-42 win over Chowan on Nov. 14. Carrying a 34-19 lead into halftime, William & Mary was locked in during the first half not allowing a single 3-pointer and forcing the Tigers to 9-30 shooting from the field. Three players scored seven or more points in the first with Bella Nascimento (9), Jana Sallman (8), and Kayla Rolph (7) combining for 24 of William & Mary’s 34 first points. Nascimento stayed hot in the final 20 minutes and finished with a game-high 24 points.. Khady Leye paced the Tigers, scoring 18 points.
Stony Brook 75, Campbell 70
Box Score
Overcoming a four-point deficit with less than two minutes on the clock, Stony Brook (10-9, 5-3) bested Campbell (10-9, 3-4), 75-70.
With 1:25 on the clock down four, Stony Brook’s Zaida Gonzalez drained two 3-pointers in 41 seconds to give the Seawolves a two-point lead. After Campbell missed a jumper, Gonzalez proved pivotal scoring two consecutive free throws to bring Stony Brook’s lead to four. The Camels made a quick free throw but were unable to score on their next attempt, securing the victory for Stony Brook. Gonzalez had a strong performance in the fourth scoring 11 of her team-high 22 points, and paced five SBU players in double digits. Gianni Boone (21) and Courtney Dahlquist (21) combined for 42 of Campbell’s 70 points.
Charleston 58, Delaware 45
Box Score
Charleston (13-5, 4-3) limited Delaware to single digits in back-to-back quarters and picked up a 58-45 victory over Delaware (4-13, 1-6).
Outscoring the Blue Hens 31-12 between the second and third quarters, the Cougars ended a three-game skid. After allowing a three with 3:39 left in the first half, Charleston held Delaware without a point until a quarter of the way through the third. Delaware was 0 for 6 from the field and 0 for 6 from deep in the stretch, with its only points in the frame coming from the charity stripe. Nyah Willis led a balanced scoring effort for the Cougars with 13 points and McKinley Brooks-Sumpter added 11 points off the bench. Chloe Wilson and Ande’a Cherisier had 12 points apiece for Delaware.
Monmouth 69, Northeastern 46
Box Score
Twenty-seven second-quarter points set up a 69-46 victory for Monmouth (10-9, 5-3) over Northeastern (1-15, 0-7).
The Hawks got hot quickly from deep, with Damaris Rodriguez draining a three 26 seconds into the frame. After a Northeastern turnover, Monmouth came back down the other end, with Rachel Kuhl making two straight 3-pointers to extend Monmouth’s lead to 17. The Hawks weren’t done there as Kuhl found herself with the ball again on the arc and hit her third straight 3-pointer as they built a 42-19 advantage at the half. Taisha Exanor had 16 points and Rodriguez added 14 for for the Hawks. Abigail Jegede’s 19 points were a team-high for the Huskies.
UNCW 66, Hampton 50
Box Score
An Ali Zelaya takeover garnered a 66-50 win for UNCW (10-10, 4-3) over Hampton (5-14, 1-7).
With a team-high 15 points and 13 rebounds, Zelaya lifted UNCW to its fourth conference win. With the Seahawks up 50-41 at the start of the fourth, Zelaya got hot converting an and-one after she was fouled on her hook shot. After draining a three with 3:38 on the clock, Zelaya helped UNCW lock Hampton down defensively, grabbing three rebounds. Jania Hall added 15 points for the Seahawks. Aisha Dabo was efficient for Hampton with 16 points on 2 for 3 shooting from deep.