Nov. 11, 2011

Final Stats

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy women's basketball team opened the 2011-12 season on Friday night at Alumni Hall where it fell to Richmond, 56-39, in front of a crowd of over 2,400. Richmond limited Navy to just 27.3% shooting in the second half as the Mids were outscored, 30-15, in the final frame.

"I thought they wore us down," said Navy head coach Stefanie Pemper. "I think the difference was a few technical things - blocking out and getting open on offense. We didn't have a ton of turnovers, but we just couldn't get in any kind of offensive rhythm. We weren't unable to execute our stuff and that's a credit to them and their defensive intensity and athleticism."

With the score tied at 27 just over 2:00 into the second half, Richmond (1-0) scored the next nine points to pull away. The Spiders' tough defense didn't allow Navy a second-chance basket all game and the Mids managed to score just seven points in the first 13 minutes of the second half.

The Spiders held the advantage down low all night as they outscored the Mids in the paint, 30-16, and outrebounded the Mids, 45-25.

"I don't know if their rebounding advantage was because of fatigue or us being concerned with their transition game, because they do transition really well," said Pemper. "The things they do better than teams in our league is run and deny. So, again, credit to them."

The two teams played a close first half with neither able to establish much of an advantage. The first half featured six ties and the entire 20 minutes was played within a four-point window.

With Richmond leading, 14-13, Erin Edwards hit a 3-pointer with 9:30 to play in the first half to reclaim the lead for the Midshipmen. Jade Geif gave Navy its largest lead of the game - four points - 1:30 later with a layup in the paint.

Navy held a 24-22 advantage with under 4:00 to play in the first half, but the Spiders scored the final two buckets of the frame to take a 26-24 lead at the break.

Both teams shot an identical 37% from the floor in the first half, but with the Spiders controlling the boards and the Mids unable to convert on second opportunities in the second half, Richmond was able to slowly put away the game.

Geif led Navy (0-1) in scoring with 10 points as she shot 5-for-13 from the floor. Alix Membreno had eight rebounds to lead the Mids.

Richmond's Genevieve Okoro (10), Abby Oliver (10) and Rachael Bilney (12) all scored in double figures.

After struggling to get in an offensive rhythm for much of Friday's game, Pemper will be looking for a better approach on Sunday when the Midshipmen travel to Loyola.

"We have to be a little bit more confident as scorers," said Pemper. "There were too many pep talks in the timeouts from me tonight. So, on Sunday, I want to see us more aggressive, confident and looking to score."

The Mids and Greyhounds will both be looking for their first victory of the season when they meet at Reitz Arena at 5 p.m.