Call it pep in their step.
Or perhaps, call it a sense of urgency.
Maybe there’s something in the water in Milledgeville.
Whatever it is, head coach John Carrick and his Bobcats are putting up strong defensive efforts, resulting in a three game winning streak, the most recent win coming against the Armstrong Atlantic State University Pirates this past Saturday.
GCSU won the match 66-48, moving to 10-4 and 3-1 in the Peach Belt Conference Western division. That conference mark is good for first place in the western standings!
Even more impressive, Carrick’s ‘Cats are allowing opponents to score just 52.6 points per game during their recent resurgence!
The Bobcats were led by junior guard Chimere Jordan, who banged home 13 points, all coming in the second half of play at Armstrong.
With a lack of offense in the first period, GCSU shot just 22.9 percent, but came out of the locker room sizzling, shooting at a 42.3 percent clip.
Perhaps what put Georgia College in the win column was the excellent foul shooting. The Bobcats were 16-20 overall from the charity stripe (80 percent), while the Pirates were at a dismal 56.3 percent, at 9-16.
The GCSU defense was able to “hunker down” most of the second period, withstanding a serious 12-0 run, showing great character, poise, an ability to stand their ground.
Now the focus shifts to Columbus State University this Wednesday night in Columbus.
The road game marks the second of a hellacious four game stretch where the Bobcats will be on the road.
Also a member of the PBC-West, the Cougars stand at 9-6 and 3-2 in conference, tied for second place in the division, sitting right behind GCSU.
Georgia College will have its hands full with senior star center, Phebe Smith. Smith, interestingly enough, is the sister of Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith.
Smith leads the conference in scoring at 18.8 points per game, as well as rebounding at 11.9. A tremendous, gifted, and athletic player, Smith will match up in the post with senior center Atoinette Reames of Georgia College.
Also another matchup to keep your eye on is senior guard Turelle Jones of CSU (9.8 points, 3.8 rebounds per game) and senior point guard Shandrea Moore of GCSU (9.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.78 assists per game).
So what are the keys to the game you ask, for GC?
1) Georgia College must limit the inside game of Columbus St. Either try to force the ball outside or defend, as best as possible, the game of Smith. GCSU was torched in the paint last game at Armstrong 32-14 in points.
Of note, the Bobcats need to focus on the dribble-and-drive creation offense (motion) that is successful for Columbus. Outside players such as Jones, senior guard Monique Jefferson (8 points, 2 reb) and sophomore guard Nikki Urbizo (7 points, 1 reb) can all shoot from the outside, but can create offense off dribble penetration.
2) The Bobcats must also capitalize on the Cougar turnovers. Prone to lose the ball over 22 times a game, GCSU could really gain an edge in turning the Cougar turns into Bobcat points.
3) The Bobcat post players must stay out of foul trouble. GCSU is not deep at the forward position and stepping in murky water early could prove harmful.
4) Lastly, the Bobcats must play simple, fundamental defense. GCSU must be in position every trip down the floor. Tying into this is the fact that GCSU must gain an edge on the defensive glass. The Bobcats can not allow Phebe Smith to have second chance opportunities at point-blank-range.
GCSU is starting to build a team identity with its defensive mentality. It has taken longer than expected, but the ladies are starting to figure out that setting your mind on defense first proves successful when the horn sounds.
Hopefully, GCSU will be able to capture the Cougars!
Talk to you Wednesday night from the Lumpkin Center on the campus of Columbus State at 5:20 on http://www.country102fm.com/ (wkzr link).
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