Last Three Non-Conference Games

So we are 3-6, with three more non conference games to go and we actually have the opportunity to improve our record to 6-6, that is, if we play like we are capable of playing. No game is a sure victory, but I honestly feel pretty good about the next three games. The best team of the next three will be American, a team that shoots well from the perimeter. The next two have a combined 2 wins under their belt, so we should probably win these games.

Key things that will contribute to JMU winning. Hislop has to control her emotions, she is the heart and soul of the team. If she isn't calm, cool, and collected during the game, she will not play well and neither will the team. Kirby needs to slow down. Our inside game has to pick up if we are going to be a contender. There is still time to salvage the season and "get it back," but if our inside game continues to allow easy shots or not being aggressive enough under the basket then it is going to continue to be a long season.

American December 21 7 PM

American will be coming into this contest at 5-4 and probably the tougher of the next three match-ups JMU will be facing.  They have two main scores, Jen Dumiak, a 5'10" G that scores on average about 16 points a game. From the 3 point line, she is making 47% of her shots, and from the 2 point, making close to 49% of her shots.The other scorer on the team is Alexis Dobbs, a 5'5" G, who on average has been scoring about 12 points a game, 3-4 assist per game, and is an excellent free throw shooter, making about 91% of her free throw shots. Defensively this team allows about 62 points per game, and averages about 32 rebounds a game. Looking at their Center, she doesn't appear to get a lot of points from the paint. It appears this team likes to take jump and 3-point shots. So defending the perimeter and rebounding are keys to this game.

Maine December 28 7 PM

In all of their losses, the Maine Black Bears have lost by 17 points or more, with the exception of 2 games. They come into this contest winning thus far only two games. They are averaging about 53 points per game and are allowing about 66 points per game. Their best scorer is Ashleigh Roberts who is averaging about 11 points per game and averages close to 5 rebounds. On average they are a shorter team who has many guards and forwards. They do have a freshman center in Anna Heise who stands at 6'3" and offers about 7 points and 4 rebounds a game. Two other players to look out for that have good shooting percentages are Liz Woods and Danielle Walczak. On paper, they look like a good rebounding team, something that JMU really needs to work on. 

GA Southern December 31 2 PM

On paper, this team is not a very good shooting team, but neither are we at the moment. Per game, they only score about 51 points and allow about 65 points. They average about 32 rebounds a game, but like the Dukes, struggle in making their shots fall. Their tallest player is 6'3" F/C Danielle Spencer who averages about 5 points a game and about 4 rebounds a game. Their two main shooters are MiMi DuBose, averaging about 14 points a game. The other is A Knight, who is averaging about 10 points and 5 rebounds a game. She does have the tendency to turn the ball over so the Dukes may be able to capitalize and convert the turnovers into points.

Notes: Losing Nikki Newman for possibly the year is a big blow to this team defensively (fractured foot). She was the energy for long sustained defense and was the player that could find Kirby for the open looks. With that stated, the team did  pick up their game against Duquesne and with Nikki out, they can no longer depend on Nikki to get the defensive stops.