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WVU Meets Elon on Monday
December 27, 2015 12:21 PM | Women's Basketball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University women’s basketball team concludes its non-conference schedule with Elon on Monday, Dec. 28, in a 7 p.m. tilt at the WVU Coliseum.
The Mountaineers (10-2) are in the midst of an eight-game win streak after knocking off Indiana, 75-64, last Monday in the Florida Sunshine Classic. Meanwhile, Elon (7-3) dropped a 78-63 contest at No. 2 South Carolina before the holiday break.
WVU has won 23 consecutive games against non-conference opponents in the Coliseum and can close out the pre-conference slate unscathed at home for the ninth time in 15 seasons under coach Mike Carey.
Tickets for Monday evening’s contest can be purchased online at WVUGAME.com by selecting the print-at-home option or by calling 1-800-WVU GAME.
A free video stream link will be provided at WVUsports.com. Jeff Culhane and Liz Repella will call the action on the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG. Fans can listen to the contest on various affiliates across the state, online at WVUsports.com or by using the TuneIn Radio app.
West Virginia drained a season-high 10 three-pointers in the win over the Hoosiers in Winter Park, Florida. Freshman Katrina Pardee netted a game-high 16 points. Lanay Montgomery recorded her third double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Bria Holmes registered double-figures with 12 points. Chania Ray rounded out WVU’s double-figure scoring with 11 points, while distributing a game-high six assists. Holmes and Montgomery were named to the Florida Sunshine Classic All-Tournament Team.
“We came in here focused and had a good practice yesterday, said Carey on his team’s return to Morgantown. “I thought our first half defense against James Madison was the best we’ve played all year. The second night (against Indiana) was the best we’ve shot from the perimeter. I saw a lot of improvement (in Florida).”
Statistically, WVU maintains the nation’s ninth-best field goal percentage defense of 32.7. Only Indiana (41.7 percent) has shot higher than 40 percent against the Mountaineers this season. The team’s 67 blocks this season ranks 12th in the NCAA. WVU has made 44.9 percent from the field, which is 34th nationally.
Holmes, a Naismith Trophy Watch List candidate, boasts 17.4 points per contest, ranking third in the Big 12. The New Haven, Connecticut, native is just 21 points away (1,621) from passing Liz Repella (1,641) for No. 7 on WVU’s all-time scoring chart.
Montgomery is nearly averaging a double-double with 9.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Montgomery’s 3.1 blocks lead the Big 12. Freshman Olivia Seggie’s assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.36 remains ninth nationally.
Elon and WVU meet for the first time since Dec. 29, 2013, when the Mountaineers prevailed 89-56 in Morgantown. West Virginia has won the previous three meetings by an average of 40 points per game. Elon enters the contest after suffering a tough loss to No. 2 South Carolina. The Phoenix upset NC State 69-66 in Raleigh on Dec. 13.
In 10 games, the Phoenix are averaging 67.9 points per game and allowing opponents to score 61.7 points. Elon’s 35.6 field goal defense percentage is 51st nationally. Preseason All-CAA Second Team honoree Shay Burnett paces Elon with 14.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Other double-figure scorers include: Jennifer Rhodes (9.6 ppg), Lauren Brown (9.4 ppg) and Essence Baucom (9.3 ppg). Elon was predicted to finish fourth in the CAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
West Virginia opens Big 12 Conference play with No. 5/6 Texas on Wednesday, Dec. 30, in a 7 p.m. tipoff at the Coliseum. Admission to Wednesday’s contest is $1 courtesy of United Bank. The annual Teddy Bear Toss will also be held after the game. Fans are invited to bring new or gently used teddy bears and other stuffed animals to toss on the court at the game. All donated items will be distributed by the City of Morgantown Police and Monongalia County Sherriff’s Office to child victims of crime and trauma.
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