2012-13 Goldey-Beacom College Women's Basketball
Games 4-5: at Stonehill Tip-Off Classic
Nov. 16, 2012 at Stonehill (7:30 p.m.) | Nov. 17, 2012 vs. Assumption (1:30 p.m.)
Live Video: StonehillSkyhawks.com | Live Stats: StonehillSkyhawks.com
Complete Goldey-Beacom Game Notes in PDF Format
Opening Tip-Off
Looking to extend the best start to a season in the program's NCAA Division II history, the Lightning will finish their season-opening five-game road trip this weekend by competing in the Stonehill College Tip-Off Classic. After facing the host Skyhawks on Friday night, the Lightning will play against Assumption on Saturday afternoon. Live stats for the Lightning's games during the tournament along with live video will be available on-line through Stonehill's official athletics website, www.stonehillskyhawks.com.
Updating the Lightning
Currently 3-0 on the season, the Lightning have opened the season with three consecutive victories for the first time since the 2001-02 season when they were NAIA members. After trailing for most of the second half on Monday night, the Lightning rallied to earn a 67-66 victory over Kutztown as senior guard Jacinda Jones scored the game-winning basket with 2.2 seconds remaining on a jumper along the left baseline. Jones led the Lightning to the victory by scoring a season-high 21 points while senior guard Devonne Richardson added nine points, including the 1,000th point of her career in the first half.
Scouting Stonehill
The Skyhawks opened their season on Wednesday night by rallying for a 67-62 overtime victory against Saint Anselm at Merkert Gymnasium. After falling behind by a 29-24 margin at the intermission, the Skyhawks shot 48.4 per cent in the second half to force overtime. Sophomore Amy Pelletier led the Skyhawks by scoring 17 points off the bench while senior Mary Louise Dixon added 16 points with five rebounds and five assists. Dixon led the Skyhawks last year in scoring with a 13.3 average while junior forward Asia Ewing led the team by averaging 7.7 rebounds per game; she also scored 10.9 points per contest. Coach Trish Brown is in her 11th season at Stonehill and has guided the Skyhawks to a 209-95 record.
Scouting Assumption
Led by 17 points from senior Katy Howard, the Greyhounds opened their season on Wednesday night with a 65-47 road victory over American Intermational College. With the win, the Greyhounds have now won five consecutive regular season openers. Senior guard Gabrielle Gibson is the Greyhounds' leading returning scorer from last year after averaging 14.3 points per game. Meanwhile, Howard averaged 11.5 points per game last year and led Assumption with 103 assists. Coach Kerry Phayre is in her 17th season at Assumption and has led the Greyhounds to a 268-192 record.
Richardson Honored as CACC Player of the Week
After leading the Lightning to back-to-back victories over St. Thomas Aquinas and the University of the District of Columbia last week, senior guard Devonne Richardson was honored as the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Player of the Week for the second time in her career. Richardson, who earned second team All-CACC notice as a junior, led the Lightning by averaging 17.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Richardson also earned the award on Jan. 30 of last season after leading the Lightning to three wins over Wilmington, Philadelphia University and Post.
Richardson Becomes Newest Member of 1,000-Point Club
Senior guard Devonne Richardson became the seventh player in school history to score at least 1,000 career points in the Lightning's 67-66 victory over Kutztown on Monday evening. With 17:48 remaining in the first half, she scored the Lightning's first points of the game with a lay-up that gave her the milestone. After a nine-point performance against the Bears, she enters this weekend's games with 1,007 points in her career. She is one of three active GBC players to have at least 1,000 points.
Cleaning the Boards
Senior guard Devonne Richardson also has the opportunity to become the second player in school history to record 1,000 career rebounds this season. After tallying 30 rebounds in the Lightning's first three games, the Baltimore, Md. native ranks third in school history with 875 career rebounds and needs 151 rebounds to become the school's all-time leader. As a junior, Richardson ranked fifth in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference by averaging 9.7 rebounds per game. In addition, she had 10 or more rebounds in a game 13 times, including a season-high 20 rebounds against Concordia in a 75-64 victory on Feb. 18.
What's Ahead for Goldey-Beacom
The Lightning will return home on Tuesday night to face the University of the Sciences in the team's home opener at 6 p.m. It will also serve as the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opener for both teams. The Lightning posted a pair of victories over the Devils last year, winning by a 65-63 margin at the Jones Center before posting a 72-68 triumph in Philadelphia. Goldey-Beacom has won four of the last five meetings against the Devils, including a 57-54 victory in the 2011 CACC quarterfinals.
