By Maggie Tifft, Assistant Sports Editor
After their first win of the season, the women’s basketball team finds themselves on a four-game losing streak, all at home. With games against multiple local rivals and their most recent loss to the nationally ranked Illinois Fighting Illini all being decided by 12 or less, the team proved they have the skills to compete with their opponents.
The team’s last win was back on Nov. 15, and since then the Griffs have lost by an average of 9.5 points. Their closest loss was by three, against St. Bonaventure on Nov. 19, when the Bonnies had a strong second half finish. Since then, the Griffs have improved their second half of play, but have still fallen short as a result of their lack of leads in the first.
After seven games, the Griffs’ statistical leaders are graduate student Jaela Johnson with 74 points and sophomore Shariah Gailes leading the way for rebounds, 22 offensively and 35 defensively. Out of the 13 players on the roster, everyone has had minutes on the court, and the starting lineup has consisted of eight different players.
With two games left before conference play, the Griffs have the opportunity to find their second and third wins on the season, yet won’t have an opportunity to notch a home victory until Dec. 29, when they face Colgate in their non-conference play finale.
In conference rankings, the Griffs sit at the 10 spot and have players who are among the conference leaders in average rebounds per game, like Gailes, who is currently second in the conference.
Since Monday night’s contest against Illinois, the team has prepared for their next game against the Akron Zips. The Zips are coming off of a win against Slippery Rock, and hold a 4–5 overall record. Senior Alexus Mobley currently leads the pack with 103 points across nine games, and with a 16-point loss to Binghamton earlier this season.
This MAAC vs MAC action is set to take place Saturday, Dec. 7, at 12 p.m. in the James A. Rhode Arena in Ohio.