Posted: Mar 01, 2010
The Roanoke College Women's Basketball Team earned its 11th NCAA Tournament berth in program-history announced this afternoon. It is the first time since 2000 the Maroons have advanced to the national tournament, its second as an at-large bid.
The women will take on McDaniel College (MD), which earned an automatic qualifying bid. They knocked off #22 Muhlenberg, 72-56 on Sunday to win their fourth Centennial Conference Championship. The Green Terror finished 20-6, 16-4 in conference play. It is their first 20-win season in three years and only the sixth time in school-history.
The Maroons are currently 23-3 overall, 19-1 in the ODAC to claim its second-straight regular season title. Roanoke, which won at least 20 games for the 17th time in program-history, also tied a school-record with 19 ODAC victories. The 23 wins this season are the most since the 1996-97 season.
Christopher Newport, which will host the first and second round sectional games, will take on fellow ODAC-member, Washington & Lee following the McDaniel/Roanoke contest. The Captains are 28-0 heading into the NCAA Tournament as one of only two remaining unbeaten teams left in the country. The Generals (18-9) achieved new milestones this weekend with their first ODAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in program-history. The 18 wins are already a school-record, achieving that mark entering into their first ODAC Championship game appearance.
The Maroons feature sharpshooting senior guard, Caitlyn Long (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spring), who is a tri-captain this season. Only the 15th player to score over 1,000-points at Roanoke, she is currently four points shy of passing Mary Beth Harvey (Chester, VA)'84 for ninth on the career scoring list. Cave Spring's all-time scoring leader is also two free throws made shy of passing Chandra Forrester (Wyhteville, VA, Rural Retreat)'04 for ninth on that list as well. Her 176 career three-pointers are ranked second all-time for the Maroons. The three-time All-ODAC player is currently second in scoring (11.2 ppg) while third on the team in rebounding (4.6 rpg), assists (52) and steals (32). She is leading the team in three-pointers made (48) and 58-of-70 from the free-throw line (82.9%).
Lightning-quick senior guard Jaleesa Osborne (Ordinary, VA, Gloucester)joins Long as one of the tri-captains on the squad with fellow senior, Lindsay Skaff. The two-time All-ODAC selection is averaging 8.5 points per game while leading the team in steals (59) and second in assists (82). A five-time All-American on the women's track & field program, Osborne has improved her shooting this season, hitting 36.7% (19-of-53) from three-point range and 86.7% (39-of-45) from the free throw line. Her 44.8% from the field is among the top-10 in the ODAC.
The difference this season has been the inside presence of both Jordan Gholson (Louisa, VA, Louisa County)and Nicci Moats (Blue Ridge, VA, Lord Botetourt). Gholson, a First-Team All-ODAC selection, is leading the team in scoring (12.2 ppg), field goal percentage (51.3%) and blocked shots (56) while second in rebounding (7.0 rpg) and free-throw percentage (85.1%). The school's career, single-season and single-game record holder in blocked shots is first in the ODAC in that category this season. She is currently fourth in ODAC history with 164 career blocked shots.
A moat, a sophomore transfer from Tennessee, has enjoyed a solid season. After a slow start during the first half of the season, she has made up for lost time after being out of the game for three seasons. She is averaging nearly 10 points per game while pulling down a team-best 7.8 rebounds per game. Her 47 blocked shots this season is already 12th on the career list and third on the single-season category at Roanoke. She has five double-doubles on the season.
The games will be held at the Freeman Center on the campus of Christopher Newport University on Friday evening. Times are still to be determined For a look at the complete bracket, look here, http://www.d3boards.com/playoffs/wbkb-bracket2010.pdf . For up-to-date information on the game, go to maroons.roanoke.edu.
