UD women close out George Washington in 62-53 victory
Flyers grab lead in last minutes to finish strong.
The battle has been DAYTON – real for the University of Dayton women’s basketball team.
Play well, have a lead late, and find a way for the game to slip away.
Flyers coach Shauna Green is hoping the closing charge in a 62-53 win over George Washington at UD Arena is a sign that is going to change.
“Down the stretch is when you have to dig in and get a stop and then carry it over on the other end,” Green said after her squad improved to 13-10 and 8-4 in the A-10. “You have to string possessions together. We have been getting the stops, but at VCU (Wednesday) we had too many empty possessions.”
The possessions were far from empty for the Flyers down the stretch against George Washington (8-17, 5-7), closing with a 20-2 run.
“Coach has been emphasizing the third and fourth quarter,” Jayla Scaife said after finishing with 18 points and nine rebounds. “We do a good job in the first half, then fall apart at the end of the game and we have to get better at that.
“We have to keep playing fast and keep our foot on the gas.”
The light seemed to switch to green with George Washington clinging to a 42-39 lead when Green was called for a technical from across the floor despite never leaving her squatting position in front of the scorer’s table.
George Washington made both free throws for a 45-39 lead with 6:41 remaining in the game, and the switch was flipped.
“I always try to be passionate and stand up for my players,” Green said. “I don’t know if it was a motivator in the run or not.”
Lauren Cannatelli answered the technical with a three as Dayton began chipping away with Araion Bradshaw giving them the lead, 51-49, with 2:51 remaining. Then, Scaife took over. The junior hit a three and hit a shot after driving the rim for a 58-49 lead to give the Flyers some cushion.
“That three Lauren hit was big,” Green said. “I am so proud of the fight and resiliency they showed.
“It has been our weakness, but they amped up every level today.”
Cannatelli (12 points) closed the game out from the line for the Flyers.
Dayton started out a little cold, hitting just five of 17 shots in the first quarter as they dug a 16-11 hole before Cannatelli got the Flyers even at the break, 25-25, on a three with 47 left.
The Flyers trailed by two before their 25-14 run in the fourth quarter.
“It’s a learning process,” Green said. “We’ve had good, bad... we’ve had it all, but this group keeps believing and keep getting better and those little things can carryover.”
The Flyers have another huge A-10 game Wednesday when they entertain Davidson (15-10, 9-3).
“It’s a big game, but every game in the conference is a big game game,” Green said. “You have to protect the home court and it’s an opportunity for us to do that and continue to get better.”