Bobcat Women's BBall Back At It Again vs. Nationally Ranked Clayton State

Another crucial game for the Georgia College and State University women’s hoops team is upon us today. The ‘Cats welcome nationally ranked Clayton State University to town to close out this current four game home stand.

GCSU (15-5, 8-2 Peach Belt Conference west) most recently defeated the Saints of North Georgia College and State University on Wednesday. The Bobcats were led by Shandrea Moore’s 17 points and eight steals to pull in the victory. With those eight take-aways, Moore set a new career high in that category. GCSU also got 14 points from junior Chimere Jordan and 12 from junior guard Dominique Huffin.

The contest was a game of two halves, and GCSU shot poorly in the first period, but coming out hot at a 42.4 percent clip in the second period. GCSU shot just 12.5 percent from behind the arc in the first period, but was 6-12 for 50 percent in the second.

Well, the Bobcats certainly can’t afford a slow start in either halves this afternoon against the fifteenth best team in the nation.

Today is second matchup between the two rivals of the season. The Lakers sit at 17-3 and 8-2 in the belt. One of their three losses this year came to John Carrick’s crew back on January 9 in Morrow, Ga. GCSU trounced the Lakers via the three-pointer shooting 48.1 percent as a team, led by Jordan’s 18 points. The Bobcat bench also chipped in, outscoring the Lakers 22-6 on the evening.

This Lakers team is extremely aggressive. If you joined the broadcast against Francis Marion a week back, the Lakers resemble the Patriots.

The keys to the game, then, look a little something like this:

1) Georgia College must limit points and touches in the paint. The Bobcats were beat last game inside 36-20. The Lakers thrive on transition buckets and one-vs.one guard play, too. The post presence has to be there this afternoon, both offensively and defensively. Senior center Antoinette Reames, who missed the previous game with a stomach bug, must perform. Reames lassoed 11 rebounds last game, causing GCSU to win the battle on the glass 44-37.

2) Which team will show up? By that, what type of energy will GCSU bring to platform? Will it be the Georgia College team who shows enthusiasm and spunk throughout the game, or will it be the lackadaisical approach in handling the basketball and playing selfish style? If the first is brought, then this game will be a sensational battle. If not, it will be over in the blink of an eye.

3) Clayton State executes full court pressure effectively. The Lakers force teams to turn the sphere 26 times a game. Therefore, handling ball pressure out front by the Bobcat guards will be imperative.

4) The last I heard, I can gleefully report that Reames and senior guard Candice Clark, who was out Wednesday with strep throat, will play this afternoon. However, both will probably not be at full strength. The bench must provide key minutes.

Showing up is half the battle. Mentally preparing to play is the toughest part of playing a strenuous season of basketball.

Talk with you from Milledgeville’s Centennial Center at 1:25 on PeachBelt TV! (www.pennatlantic.com – free telecast!)