George Washington University

Nov. 25, 2009

GW Junkanoo Jam Notes | Junkanoo Jam Lucaya Division Bracket | Free Live Video

FREEPORT, BAHAMAS - The George Washington women's basketball team will spend the Thanksgiving holiday in the Bahamas for the Junkanoo Jam, opening against No. 25 Michigan State Friday at 1:15 pm EST. It is the third time in the past seven seasons the Colonials will compete in the event. It's also the fourth time GW has left the mainland for a regular-season tournament - two previous trips to the Junkanoo Jam and an appearance in the 1995 San Juan Shootout in Puerto Rico.

All games from all three divisions of the 2009 Junkanoo Jam will be video streamed live and for free - Click here to access the video page.

2009 Junkanoo Jam, Lucaya Division - St. Georges HS, Freeport, Bahamas
Friday, November 27, 2009
GW vs. #25 Michigan State - 1:15 pm EST
Oklahoma State vs. Marist - 3:30 pm EST

Saturday, November 28, 2009
Consolation - 5:45 pm EST
Championship - 8:00 pm EST

GW (2-1) has split games at its previous two Junkanoo Jam appearances:
2003 (1-1) - L, 77-51 vs. #7 Penn State; W, 58-45 vs. Arizona State
2005 (1-1) - W, 49-47 vs. #19 Purdue; L, 59-54 vs. #18 Texas

GW's bid for a third straight comeback victory fell short in Sunday's 70-58 loss at Ohio. After trailing by as much as 16, the Colonials battled to within 62-56 with less than three minutes remaining, but a pair of failed fast-break chances cost the team down the stretch. Sophomore Tiana Myers set a career-high for the second straight game with 20 points, followed by 10 from classmate Tara Booker. GW had posted come-from-behind victories over North Texas and Coppin State to open the season.

After the festivities in the Bahamas, the Colonials will continue on to perennial power No. 6/5 Tennessee as part of a week-long road trip. Three of GW's four potential opponents during the week-long trip are either nationally ranked or receiving votes in the Top 25. GW wraps its five-game road swing at last year's SEC champion Auburn, which is receiving votes in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25, on Dec. 5.

Michigan State (2-2) is coming off a 74-51 victory over intra-state foe Western Michigan at neutral site Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI, Sunday. Grand Rapids is the hometown of MSU's 6-foot-9 senior center Allyssa DeHaan, who totaled seven points, 11 rebounds and five blocks in the win against the Broncos. Redshirt sophomore Lykendra Johnson led all scorers with 21 points, followed by 12 from Aisha Jefferson.

After opening the season at No. 10 in both Top 25 polls, Michigan State has dropped to No. 25 in both polls after splitting its first four games. The Spartans opened the season with a 77-74 loss at Atlantic 10 upstart Dayton, then came back from a halftime deficit to win at Detroit before narrowly losing to No. 6 Notre Dame in their home opener last Thursday.

Oklahoma State (3-1) is coming off a 93-72 loss at No. 3 Ohio State Sunday despite All-America candidate Andrea Riley's game-high 27 points. OSU opened the season with wins over Arkansas-Little Rock, 67-58, Georgia Tech, 70-64, and New Mexico, 70-56. Riley leads the Cowgirls with 25.0 points and 4.8 assists per game. GW topped OSU, 60-58, at the 2001 Pepperdine Holiday Tournament in Malibu, CA, in the teams' only previous meeting.

Marist (2-1) shot 53.6% from the field in the second half of Saturday's game against Bowling Green, erasing a 10-point deficit on its way to a 70-65 victory. The Red Foxes have now won their last 75 games in which they have scored at least 70 points. Senior Rachele Fitz led all players with 28 points and eight rebounds. Marist's lone loss was at West Virginia, 55-50. Fitz averages a double-double with 25.7 points and 10.0 rebounds, while shooting 65.9% from the field.