March 16, 2004

Women’s Team on the Bubble

Defending A-10 Champs Fall to Saint Joseph’s

Saint Joseph’s dealt a blow to the GW women’s basketball team’s post-season aspirations when the Hawks defeated the defending Atlantic 10 champions, 70–57, in the quarterfinals of the A-10 Tournament March 7. Rather than an automatic bid to the big dance, GW had to take a wait-and-see approach hoping for an at-large bid (selection results announced March 14, after press time).

Despite 21 points from senior Ugo Oha and a first-round bye based on its No. 1 overall seed, GW fell based on 38 percent shooting and 12 key offensive rebounds by Saint Joseph’s.

In its first tournament match-up, GW squeaked past La Salle, 64–61, March 6. The Colonials suffered through a five-minute scoring drought in the second half, but managed to make key plays.

“We just didn’t make shots,” explained head coach Joe McKeown. “We had a big lead, but La Salle started making shots.”

GW had four players score in double figures led by Cathy Joens and Marsheik Witherspoon. Anna Montañana added 11 points and eight rebounds, while Ugo Oha dominated the paint, scoring 10 points, grabbing six rebounds and blocking five shots.

Hitting High Marks
The GW gymnastics team set a three-year high in winning the Nation’s Capital Cup on March 6. The Colonials finished the meet with a 195.975, followed by Towson (194.675), Pittsburgh (193.675), William & Mary (191.950) and Yale (191.575). This was the fourth time in a row that GW scored in the 195 range this season.

Sophomore Erin Aiken took first place on the vault with a 9.950 as the Colonials scored a 49.025. Senior Lindsay Parks finished in third place with a 9.850, while freshmen Emily Howarth and Jess Guilbert each scored 9.750.

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu