FanPost

WBB: State Shakes Off the Exam Rust and Tops Georgetown 63-49

Lucky and Aislinn Defending

Lucky Rudd and Aislinn defending. Photo by Sbas2.

After taking a week off for exams, State played sometimes like a well-oiled machine and at other times like a rusty machine. State did get the win over Georgetown 63-49, a score which indicates that the game was much closer than it actually was at times.

State raced out to a 30-10 lead at 9:03 of the second quarter, a period in which the team looked like the NCAA tournament team it should be, then scored only 5 points for the next nine minutes of the quarter. State's first quarter "well-oiled machine" play most likely came to a halt because starters Kaila Ealey and Chelsea Nelson each picked up their second foul and went to the bench.

State went into another stretch of poor play in the third quarter allowing Georgetown to pull within 7 at 6:17 in the quarter after which State went on another run to push the lead to 22 on Asilinn Konig's three with 9:25 left in the game. From that point, State let the lead bounce around from 11 to 20 before Georgetown cut it to 14 by games end.

Aislinn Konig, who played 40 minutes for State, tied with Kiara Leslie for lead scorer with 16. Konig went 6-13 from the field and 4-11 from the arc. While, Konig's hot arc shooting in the third and fourth quarters was impressive, her best play occurred after she took over at the point due to Kaila Ealey scaring the fans by turning her ankle getting an offensive rebound. With 5 seconds left on the shot clock, Aislinn had the ball at the top of the arc. She blew by her defenders and finished at the basket in traffic.

Yes, indeed, when Kaila came up limping after an offensive rebound, fans had to worry. While Kaila does not score much, her point guard skills of handling and passing free up Aislinn to work on scoring and ensure that State will be able to handle the type of press that Syracuse will use. Luckily the injury was not severe and she returned to the game to finish it.

Erika at the Line

Erika Cassell shoots free throws. Photo by Sbas2.

Erika Cassell had her best game in a State uniform getting 11 rebounds to lead the team and 5 points. As stated above, Kiara had 16 points on 6-10 from the floor, while Akela Maize had 13 and Chelsea Nelson 10. Maize went 5 for 8 from the floor and 3 for 4 from the line.

State shot 41% from the floor, 26% from the arc, and 75% from the line. State had 50 rebounds and 19 turnovers (exam rust no doubt). Georgetown shot 32% from the floor, 25% from the arc, and 55% from the line. Georgetown had 30 rebounds and 12 turnovers. Cynthia Petke led Georgetown in scoring with 15 wile Mikayla Venson had 14.

Of Interest

Georgetown got whistled for a technical for having six players on the court. Center/Forward Chelsea Nelson shot the two free throws making both. Normally one would look to a guard to shoot technical fouls, but State's guards haven't been shooting free throws well (Konig 500; Ealey 464; Rudd 462; Leslie 571)as of yet while Chelsea has (688). DD Rogers leads the team in free throw shooting percentage at 727.

State's out of conference schedule has been solid. State has played at Rutgers (Big Ten) and at Old Dominion. State played Alabama (SEC) and South Dakota State, a mid-major powerhouse, at a neutral site. State played Tulane and Georgetown (Big East) at home. Saturday State host Elon which has become a mid-major powerhouse under David Thompson's niece Charlotte Smith. After that there is a game at Vanderbilt. The team can build a good resume if it keeps on winning those out of conference games. Success in conference and that should lead to an NCAA tournament bid. We hope; we hope; we hope!