BY NATALIE HEAVREN, SPORTS EDITOR
Women’s Basketball defeated La Salle University 59-42 Thursday night to improve to 13-11 overall and 5-6 in conference play.
“I thought we came in really, really focused tonight,” said head coach Nyla Milleson. “I thought our energy was really good.”
Here are three takeaways from the win.
- Jacy Bolton’s consistency provides a foundation to build on.
After a quiet couple of games from Bolton, she recorded her 10th career double-double and eighth of the season, with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The junior, who is second in the conference in rebounding with an average 8.5 rebounds per game, also adds 10.2 points per game.
Her consistency is something that helps her teammates. “I just know that when I show up that it relaxes all of my other teammates, so when I do my job, good things happen,” said Bolton.
Milleson added, “Jacy is definitely one that’s got to stay aggressive on both ends of the floor in order for us to be successful. She just changes the dynamics of our team and how you have to guard us.”
2. Sarah Kaminski continues to step up, no matter the score.
After breaking her nose in the Feb. 6 win over George Washington, junior Sarah Kaminski has scored 23 points over the last two games.
“She’s one that’s really doing a great job right now, stepping up and being a leader,” Milleson said after the game. “Even when we were up 20, she just kept coming to the huddle tonight, ‘Stay focused, stay together.’”
3. Dominating on the boards is a key to success.
The Patriots have outrebounded their opponent in each of their wins this season. However, they went into the half tied with La Salle in total rebounds.
“Rebounding is always a key,” said Milleson. “We were tied 20-20 at the half, and that was one of the things we talked about. We had to continue to go two hands, two feet, and I thought we did a much better job of that in the second half.”
She continued,“But part of that rebounding, particularly on the defensive end, is locking down the possession, because if you get scrambling and you get out of position within the possession, then you’re out of position to rebound, and I thought that we stayed much more solid on position than we have some other games.”
Continuing to lock down on rebounding will be key as Mason enters their final stretch of conference games.
The Patriots take on Virginia Commonwealth University at home on Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.
