Before I get started, I want to congratulate the Lady Dukes on a successful season. They have really shown why they are a good team and why they will be at the top next year. With that said, this tournament showed their youth. I am going to be a little harsh on the team, so I hope that you do not get upset, but tonight, the team deserves the heat and the criticism.
I have no clue how a team that usually scores 60+ points a game only score a total of 34 points. In fact, they only scored 7 points for the first 16 minutes of the second half. The next 7 points came within the last 3 minutes of the game. It was a poor showing all around. Every shot they got off, refused to sink, every shot was either too hard, wide right, or some other weird direction. Get this, the Dukes were just 1-13 from the 3-point and 16-58 from the 2 point. And here is another stat, Drexel had 21 attempts at the free throw line while JMU only had 3 attempts (some of this was because of the multiple fouls committed to slow the game). Drexel also had just 11 fouls called on them, while JMU had 19 fouls called on them. Every aspect of the game against Drexel, including the energy level was very poor. The girls have heart no doubt, but my goodness, you beat Drexel the week before by 9 points and then you come into the semi-final game and get crushed by 16 points. What gives?
You could say that the refs had a lot to do with how JMU responded, but you cannot account for the poor shooting. Defense was good though, but the offense was horrendous. A bright spot during the game was at the last few minutes of the first half when JMU made a run and closed within 3 points, but would get burned on a 3 the next possession to go into the half down by 6. From then on, it was all Drexel.
You can tell I am disappointed at the Dukes performance tonight. If I am not mistaken, the Dukes did the same thing last year against Drexel in the semi-final game where we lost by 17 points. But last year the Dukes scored 50 points. Ladies, let this serve as a catalyst to win in post-season. I don't think they will be in the NCAA tournament, but they will be in the WNIT.
A quick look to next year before the possible WNIT bid.
A look at next year. This team is going to be very good. I think a problem area we could have is at the point guard position, if Angela Mickens doesn't pan out. I like Mickens and I think she is gong to be a great player, but I have noticed that she has been afraid to take a deeper 2 point shot. Other than that, she is fantastic when it comes to passing. We also get Lauren Okafor, the transfer from Providence, who is considered to be a really good center-we really needed the size this year, so next year we get the size down low. We also get back Nikki Newman and her stout defense. Of course we also get back everyone except of course Tarik Hislop and Kanita Shepherd. I think we also need to find that third shooter. We are going to lose a prolific shooter in Tarik Hislop and we need to find someone who will take over as the third shooter. New recruits that will be coming in will be Da'Lisha Griffin and Amani Tatum. So next year should be a good year.
With all this said, I like what was posted on twitter by the JMU WBB team a while gack "A setback is an opportunity for a comeback!" Truer words have never been spoken and knowing how good this team really is, I am sure a comeback in the WNIT if they should get one, will prove to be the case with this team. Go Dukes!
EDIT: Forgot to add that Toia Giggets actually had a descent game and scored 14 points. And while Kirby Burkholder's shots were not falling, she did get 13 rebounds.
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