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 Senior Jessica Simmonds led the Colonials to the regular season A-10 title on senior day |
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GW Wins Fifth Straight Regular-Season Title With 69-65 Victory Over Charlotte
Feb. 26, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC - The George Washington Colonials (20-7, 13-3) defeated the Charlotte 49ers (20-7, 13-3), 69-65, for a share of the Atlantic 10 regular season title in front of 1,026 at Charles E. Smith Athletic Center. This is the fifth straight title for GW and seventh straight 20-win season. While GW and Charlotte are Co-Champions, the Colonials are the No. 1 seed in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament and will play the winner of La Salle and Richmond on Saturday at noon at Saint Joseph's.
Kimberly Beck and Sarah-Jo Lawrence each scored 12 points while senior Jessica Simmonds had 11 and Jazmine Adair grabbed 10 rebounds as the Colonials defeated Charlotte, 69-65, in the first-ever meeting between the two teams. Sakellie Daniels had 20 for the 49ers and Sabrina had 10. GW had twice as many points in the paint, 28-14 and outrebounded the 49ers 37-29.
The game featured 10 lead changes in the battle of the top two teams in the Atlantic 10. In fitting fashion, Simmonds GW's only senior scored the first basket of the day on GW's Senior Day. The Colonials went on a 7-0 run early to take a six point lead but Charlotte reeled in the Colonials by running off seven-straight of their own to take the lead 14-13 midway through the first half.
Lisa Steele made one of a team-high two three-pointers to key a 7-0 GW run but Charlotte had three-straight three-pointers to stay close and then went on a 7-0 run to take its last lead of the game with 4:25 left to play in the first half. GW had an 11-0 run heading into halftime before Charlotte made two foul shots in the closing seconds of the half.
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The Colonials opened the second half strong and extended its lead to 12 points on three occasions in the opening minutes before having to hold of Charlotte down the stretch. Charlotte actually went on an 8-0 run to tie the game for the fourth and final time with 5:36 left in the game. Beck made both of her foul shots with 5:06 left to put the Colonials ahead for good.
GW is 17-1 when leading at the five-minute mark and its only comeback in the final five minutes was on Friday at No. 17 Temple. The Colonials are a perfect 14-0 when outrebounding their opponents. GW shot a season-high 88.9 percent from the foul line (16-18) improving over their season-low 27.3 percent in its last home game.
This is the Colonials seventh-straight 20-win season and the 15th in 16 years for head coach Joe McKeown. McKeown also won his 450th career-victory in his hometown of Philadelphia when GW defeated No. 17 Temple on Friday in overtime.
This week the Colonials went 2-0 against the two toughest teams in the Atlantic 10. First GW beat No. 17 Temple, 55-50, in overtime. This was the Colonials second victory over the Owls this season as they won by 17-points at home over the then-No. 19 Owls. Earlier this year GW upset then-No. 19 Purdue (now No. 12/11) at the Junkanoo Jam.
Today the Colonials beat Charlotte who was in first place in the Atlantic 10 with 20 wins and a 13-3 conference mark. Both teams share the regular season title and GW wins the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament as they won in the only head-to-head game. GW defeated Charlotte by a final score of 69-65.
With today's win, GW secured its seventh-straight 20-win season and 15th in coach Joe McKeown's last 16 years at GW. McKeown also earned his 450th career-victory at No 17 Temple on Friday.
