Jan. 30, 2007
Final Stats
Complete Box Score in PDF Format
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A 19-0 run midway through the first half sparked the Navy women's basketball team to 58-39 victory over Winston-Salem State, Tuesday night at a raucous Alumni Hall in Annapolis.
The victory snaps a two-game skid for the Mids and improves their record to 9-12 on the year, while the Lady Rams, who are competing as an independent this season during its transition from the Division II level to Division I, fell to 9-12.
The game started off slowly for the Mids as Navy misfired on seven of its first eight shots from the field. Meanwhile, the Lady Rams connected on six of their opening eight field goal attempts and built a 12-4 lead with 14:25 left in the first half.
The fortunes for both teams changed dramatically over the next 10 minutes, however, as Navy went on its aforementioned 19-0 run to take a 23-12 lead with 4:34 left on the clock before halftime.
Navy connected on 7-of-13 shots from the field and all four of its free throw attempts during the 10 minutes, while Winston-Salem State, conversely, missed all 10 of its field goal attempts and turned the ball over seven times.
Navy's post players contributed 16 of the 19 points during the run, with Kate Hobbs (Sr., Wexford, Pa.) tallying six points and Betsy Burnett (Sr., New Holstein, Wis.) adding four points. In addition, both Burnett and Lindi Conner (Jr., Kingman, Kan.) totaled one rebound and a pair of steals over the 10 minutes.
"It was a nice, all-around run for us," said Navy head coach of the 19-0 sprint by the Mids. "We had some good defensive plays in there, which allowed us to score some buckets in transition and that seemed to help us find our offensive rhythm."
Winston-Salem State answered by scoring a quick six points over the next 100 seconds, but Navy closed the half by scoring seven of the final nine points, a run capped off by a long Kalen Kropa (So., Reidsville, N.C.) jumper as the halftime buzzer sounded to give Navy a 30-20 advantage at intermission.
The Mids proceeded to score 10 of the opening 12 points of the second half before eventually holding a 26 point lead (56-30) with just over six minutes remaining in the game.
Navy shot 40 percent from the field for the game and connected on 5-of-15 three-point field goal attempts, while limiting the Lady Rams to 29 percent shooting from the field and 0-of-11 shooting from behind the three-point line. In addition, Navy converted 11-of-12 free throw attempts in the game and held a 45-30 advantage on the glass.
Hobbs totaled 17 points and eight rebounds in the game for the Mids, while Margaret Knap (Sr., Chicago, Ill.) made a trio of three-point field goals on her way to tallying 13 points, four assists and a pair of steals. Joining the duo in reaching double figures was Carly Meyer (Sr., Orlando, Fla.), who finished with 10 points and eight boards.
The game was played in front of Navy's largest home crowd of the season, 1,110 fans, the majority of whom were midshipmen.
"The Brigade of Midshipmen was absolutely fabulous tonight," said Marryott. "They were loud and into the game right from the tip and our players really fed off of them. Their enthusiasm and excitement made it a tremendous environment for us to play in tonight and we all greatly appreciate their support."
Navy returns to conference play Saturday at 1 p.m. when the Mids play host to first-place Bucknell.
