Philly Women’s College Basketball Week in Review and Awards

PHILLY WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL WEEK IN REVIEW

 Conference Play Opens for all Schools, Penn Posts a Huge Ivy Win

Games of December 31, 2018 – January 6, 2019

PhillyCollegeSports.com Player of the Week

Phoebe Sterba – Penn – The junior guard posted a career-high 21 points in the win at Princeton.  Sterba went 5 of 7 from beyond the arc.  She also added 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in the contest.  She went 4 for 4 from the free throw line, which was the last 4 points for Penn in the Ancient Eight battle.  Sterba scored 12 at Stetson.

Honor Roll

Bailey Greenberg – Drexel

Rayshel Brown – La Salle

Ashley Russell, Eleah Parker – Penn

Lula Roig – Saint Joseph’s

Alliya Butts – Temple

Adrianna Hahn, Kelly Kekot – Villanova

*Player of the Week and Honor Roll selections are made by Glenn Papazian, PhillyCollegeSports.com, Mel Greenberg, Women’s Hoop Guru, and Matt Leon, KYW Newsradio

Games of December 31, 2018 – January 6, 2019

DREXEL 8 – 5 Overall, 0 – 2 CAA

Results – Lost 55 – 54 vs. Towson, Lost 51 – 35 vs. James Madison both at the DAC

Summary – The Dragons opened the CAA season with 2 homes games at home, but lost both games.  Towson’s Nukiya Mayo made a short jumper as the horn sounded to give her team their first win against Drexel in 19 games.  It was also the first CAA home opener defeat since 2010.  The Dragons had a third quarter lead that evaporated in the JMU contest by a run over the last two quarters of 21 – 3 which spelled defeat for the home team.  Bailey Greenberg scored 17 points in each game to lead Drexel. 

Next Game – 1/13/2019 at Delaware

LA SALLE 3 – 12 Overall, 0 – 1 Atlantic 10, 0 – 3 Big Five

Results – Lost 84 – 45 at Dayton

Summary – The Explorers took to the road in their conference opener, but fell to the Dayton Flyers.  Rayshel Brown paced La Salle with 12 points being the only double-digit scorer for her team.  Forward Shalina Miller had a game-high 9 rebounds.  Dayton went on a 13 – 3 run in the third quarter to take control.

Next Game – 1/8/2019 at VCU

PENN – 9 – 2 Overall, 1 – 0 Ivy League, 2 – 0 Big Five

Results – Won 75 – 53 at Stetson, Won 66 – 60 at Princeton

Summary – The University of Pennsylvania closed 2018 on a winning note and continued it in 2019.  Penn opened Ivy League play with a huge 66 – 60 victory at Princeton coming back from a third quarter deficit.  Phoebe Sterba scored a career-high 21 points, making 5 of 7 from beyond the arc at Jadwyn Gym.  Sterba also contributed 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and was a perfect 4 of 4 from the charity stripe to end the game.  Eleah Parker blocked 5 shots and 7 rebounds in the game to go along with 14 points.  At Stetson Ashley Russell posted 23 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks, and 4 steals.  Her assist and blocked shots total were a career-best.  Parker scored 11 points in Florida and Sterba added 12.  The Big Five title may be decided in the next game for the Red and Blue when they face Villanova at home.

Next Game – 1/16/2019 vs. Villanova at the Palestra

SAINT JOSEPH’S  4 – 10 Overall, 0 – 1 Atlantic 10, 0 – 3 Big Five

Results – Lost 49 – 48 at Navy, Lost 59 – 40 at VCU

Summary – The Hawks took a trip to Annapolis and Richmond over the week, but lost both games.  Saint Joe’s had a last opportunity at Navy, but the shot from the right corner by Kristalyn Baisden missed.  The Hawks continued their cold shooting at VCU.  They stayed close but fell victim to a 12 – 2 run by the Rams.  Lula Roig recorded a game-high 12 points at VCU after posting 8 in the Navy game.  The A10 home opener is next for SJU.

Next Game – 1/9/2019 vs. Saint Louis at the Hagan Arena

TEMPLE 4 – 9 Overall, 0 – 1 American, 2 – 1 Big Five

Results – Lost 54 – 53 at Duquesne, Lost 63 – 53 vs. USF at McGonigle Hall

Summary – The Owls lost a heartbreaker in Pittsburgh.  They took the lead twice in the fourth quarter, but could not hold on.  Temple could not get a game-winner to fall at the end.  The Cherry and White returned home to start the American season.  USF dominated the rebound statistic winning the boards 57 – 40.  The Bulls pulled down 26 offensive rebounds.  Still, the Owls stayed competitive getting to within 49 – 45 midway through the fourth quarter.  Alliya Butts had two steals to tie LaKeisha Eddy for the program top spot in steals at 252.  Butts also posted 15 points in the Duquesne game.  Mia Davis 19 points against USF.  Freshman Alexa Williamson totaled 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 steals over the week.  Temple looks for their first win in conference on Tuesday.

Next Game – 1/8/2019 vs. Tulane at McGonigle Hall

VILLANOVA  10 – 4, 2 – 2 Big East, 3 – 0 Big Five

Results – Won 75 – 71 vs. Xavier at The Finneran Pavilion, Won 54 – 52 at Creighton, Lost 67 – 61 at Providence

Summary – The Wildcats closed out 2018 with a win over Xavier Musketeers then took to the road splitting weekend contests against the Creighton Blue Jays and the Providence Friars.  Villanova withstood a furious rally by Xavier to hang on for the victory.  The Cats held a 61 – 39 lead after three quarters.  Kelly Jekot hit a three-pointer with 44 seconds to play to seal the victory.  The Wildcats closed out this game holding off a Blue Jays charge.  Adrianna Hahn posted two free throws to extend the lead to 54 – 49.  Creighton made a three for the final score.  The Wildcats could not continue its streak falling at Providence to the Friars.  The game was tied at the start of the 4^th quarter, but this time Nova could not get the win.  The Cats made 13 of 35 from three-point land.  Villanova has won 7 of its last 9 games.  Hahn scored 49 points over the three games.  Jekot scored 23 against Xavier to go along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists.  Mary Gedaka led the way with 14 at Creighton.  Freshman Emily Esposito posted double figures (13) on the Xavier game.  The Cats host nationally ranked Marquette Golden Eagles on Friday morning at the Finneran Pavilion. 

Next Game 1/11/2019 vs. Marquette at the Finneran Pavilion