Women's Basketball: West Virginia Ranked 23rd
December 15, 2009 04:20 PM | General
December 15, 2009
 |
||
| Mike Carey |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University women’s basketball team has made its way into the Top 25 for the first time this season, earning a No. 23 ranking in this week’s ESPN/USA Today Poll.
The Mountaineers (9-1) received 82 votes and are ranked for the first time since being rated 20th in the final ESPN/USA Today Poll of the 2007-08 season. That year, the Mountaineers were ranked all season long in both polls, posting a 25-8 mark and reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament. WVU received 22 votes in yesterday’s Associated Press poll.
West Virginia has started the season 9-1 for the second time in three seasons. It is the fourth Mike Carey squad, in his nine seasons, to begin a season at least 9-1. The 2002-03 team began the year 10-0 while the 2004-05 and 2007-08 teams also started 9-1.
West Virginia has emerged in the Top 25 on the strength of its defense, holding opponents to 48.6 points per game, the second-best mark in the Big East. The Mountaineers captured the Nugget Classic championship three weeks ago after defeating Iowa and Nevada, and have beaten a perennial NCAA Tournament team in Marist (55-50).
WVU has also held the opposition to 33 percent shooting from the field, the third-lowest mark in the conference behind top-ranked Connecticut and No. 19 Pitt.
Junior guard Liz Repella leads West Virginia with 14.7 points per game, followed by standout freshman center Asya Bussie, who is averaging 12.7 points and 6.2 rebounds. The Randallstown, Md., native is the reigning Big East Conference Freshman of the Week for her performances against Eastern Kentucky and Longwood.
WVU is one of five Big East teams ranked in the poll, including UConn, No. 4 Notre Dame, Pitt and No. 22 Syracuse.
The Mountaineers resume non-conference action with a matchup against Fresno State this Saturday at the WVU Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Saturday's game is a "Dairy Mart Dollar Night" as fans can visit any Morgantown-area Dairy Mart to pick up a coupon good for one dollar admission to the game.
