Monday, December 04, 2006

Belmont Bruins

Belmont opened Atlantic Sun play on a high note over the weekend, picking up back-to-back wins over North Florida and Jacksonville, after knocking off Eastern Kentucky earlier in the week, 68-61. The Bruins handily defeated the Lady Ospreys, 76-48, and held off the Dolphins, 72-58. It was the first time since Sophomore Alysha Clark nearly averaged a double-double over the three games, averaging 13.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Junior Laura Cowley also averaged in double figures, contributing 10 points per contest.

Campbell Fighting Camels
Campbell improved to 12-1 all-time in Atlantic Sun openers with a 57-54 come-from-behind victory over Gardner-Webb on Saturday. Freshman Taylor Oliver scored 16 second-half points for the second-consecutive game finishing with 19 to lead the comeback for the Lady Camels. Campbell takes the upcoming week off for final exams before traveling to Coastal Carolina on December 11. In CU’s first four games of the season, it made just six three’s combined. Over the past two games, Campbell has made 13 three pointers, with seven coming from Oliver.

ETSU Bucs
The Lady Bucs made it a perfect week by defeating, UNC Asheville, Mercer and Stetson (all on the road). ETSU has now won three straight, four of its last five and move to .500 (4-4) for the first time this season. ETSU allowed a season-low 29 points in their A-Sun opener against Mercer. The 29 points fell one point shy of tying the school record set back in 1973-74 when they allowed only 28 points to Milligan.

Gardner-Webb Bulldogs
Despite a strong effort from the Gardner-Webb women's basketball team in its conference opener, the Bulldogs fell at Campbell, 57-54. Candyse Kelly posted a team-high 17 points and a career-best seven assists while playing all 40 minutes. Freshman Meranda Burnett netted a career-high 14 points on 6-12 shooting. The Bulldogs step out of conference on Sunday, Dec. 10, when they travel to High Point for a 2 p.m. contest.

Jacksonville Dolphins

JU started the season off on a good note by winning its first four games of the seaon. The feat was the best start by the Dolphins in program history and marked the first four-game winning streak since 2001. The Dolphins are also 3-0 at Swisher Gymanasium to start the year, which is also the best start in program history. The longest winning streak at home for JU is six games (2000-01, 2005-06).

Kennesaw State Owls
KSU went 1-1 last week, falling at Stetson and beating Mercer, 74-70 behind a 14 point, 19-rebound effort from sophomore forward Ngoneh Gaye. The 6-footer leads the conference with 11.7 rebounds per game. After recording a league-worst 36.9 rebounds per game average a year ago, the Lady Owls currently lead the A-sun at 49.7 boards a game, more than eight ahead of second-place Stetson (41.3). KSU will take on Georgia Tech for the first-time since 1982-83 when the two teams battle in Atlanta on Wednesday night.

Lipscomb Bisons
The Lady Bisons play Murray State University on the road tonight, their sixth game in 11 days. They get a much needed breather to regroup and take final exams. Forward Miriam McAlister, a member of the A-Sun All-Freshman team last season, made her season debut Thursday night against Jacksonville and recorded a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds in a 63-61 A-Sun win in 25 minutes. The Lady Bisons will be without the services of forward Tiffany Arnold for the rest of the season due to medical reasons.

Mercer Bears
TaShera Lewis had a career day against Kennesaw State last Saturday, Dec. 2. The sophomore set career marks in field goals made (seven), field goals attempted (10), free throws made (eight), free throws attempted (12), offensive rebounds (five), points (22) and steals (three). Mercer concludes its three-game home stand Saturday, Dec. 9, against Florida A&M. The game will be the 25th meeting between the Bears and Lady Rattlers, who have met the past three seasons after discontinuing the series following FAMU’s departure from the conference in 1992.

UNF Ospreys
UNF split its first two conference games of the season last week, going 1-1 in Nashville. The Lady Ospreys captured a win against Lipscomb after falling in their conference opener to Belmont. Jennifer Bowen had a career week, setting personal bests in points (16 at Lipscomb) and rebounds (9 at Belmont). The Lady Ospreys forced Lipscomb into 30 turnovers in their win, coming away with 19 steals. Jennifer Guldager pulled down 12 rebounds against Lipscomb, while three players scored in double figures in the victory. Antoinette Reames continues to move up the career blocks list at UNF and is currently fourth all time in that category. The sophomore blocked eight shots last week, including five against Belmont. UNF returns to non-conference play this week when it travels to Bethune-Cookman on Saturday.

Stetson Hatters
No team notes provided