“UConn, is that you?”
I mean, we figured, could the Lancers ultimately hoist the trophy? Sure. But expecting them to lay waste to three opponents with the precision the Huskies typically display in tearing through the Big East? C’mon.
Yet consider:
- At the 8:45 mark of the first quarter in the quarterfinals against Hampton, Briana Johns splashed a 3-pointer to make it 3-2 Longwood. That shot erased the only deficit the Lancers faced the entire tournament.
- Longwood’s three halftime leads were 38-18, 49-19 and 38-13.
- The Lancers’ “smallest” second-half lead in either the semifinal or final was 25 points.
Which is why it was so charming, albeit a little jarring, to hear how little voice Lancers coach Rebecca Tillett had left for her postgame remarks. The woman sounded as though she’d just spent four hours at a Springsteen concert.
Of course, this begs the question — if this is Tillett after an (almost) 40-point blowout, does one need to read lips to understand her after a nailbiter?
No wonder her Lancers kept pouring it on.
2. Undefeated Christopher Newport was even more dominant in its opening two NCAA Division III Tournament games, hammering Mitchell College and Mount Saint Mary’s by a combined 102 points to surge into this weekend’s final 16.
On Friday at 5 p.m. at Amherst College (Mass.), the top-ranked Captains (26-0) will face No. 13 Trinity (27-2), which has also won 26 straight. The winner will play either Wisconsin-Whitewater (25-4) or 11th-ranked Tufts (22-4) on Saturday for a spot in the national semifinals.
Tufts handed the Captains their last loss, a 70-65 setback on Dec. 28, 2019. The Captains have won 43 straight since.
3. Did you see the number JMU did on Delaware (a 78-62 beatdown) Saturday in the Dukes’ season finale, in the same Atlantic Union Bank Center that was supposed to host this week’s CAA Tournament?
Now, the Blue Hens (21-7) have one of the CAA’s best teams while JMU (14-15), barred from competing in the CAA postseason because of the school’s impending move to the Sun Belt Conference, just concluded the season from Hell.
But for one day, it’s was as though the Dukes said, “Hey, Blue Hens, you headed to the CAA tourney. Well, take this old–school JMU beatdown with you.”
Whatever the motivation, it sure was nice to see JMU close this otherwise disappointing season on a rousing high. Onto the Sun Belt, and we believe, better days.
4. The availability of star guard Ajah Wayne is a prime concern as Old Dominion begins its pursuit of a Conference USA tournament title Wednesday against either UTEP or UTSA. Wayne, who along with teammate Iggy Allen earned first-team All-CUSA honors last week, suffered a leg injury in last week’s loss to Louisiana Tech and sat out Saturday’s regular-season finale at Middle Tennessee State.
With a reasonably healthy Wayne, Old Dominion has proven it has enough to go all the way – the Lady Monarchs’ 22-8 record includes wins over conference powers Middle Tennessee and Charlotte. Also, last season Wayne was at her best in this very event as she averaged 22.5 points, 11 rebounds and 2.5 steals over four CUSA tournament games.
5. Liberty will go for a program record-tying 28th victory and a berth in yet another conference tournament final when the Lady Flames (27-3) visit Jacksonville State (23-6) Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Atlantic Sun semifinals.
A win would put Liberty in a conference tournament final for the fourth time in four A-Sun tourney appearances and 22nd time in the last 25 years. Florida Gulf Coast would be the likely opponent. The Lady Flames have never beaten the Eagles and were swept this season. With a power ranking in the 70s, a loss in the conference final would send Liberty to the WNIT.
6. We’re cheating with a sixth. Norfolk State tied for a share of the MEAC regular-season title for the first time in program history. After tie-breaking procedures, NSU will be the No. 2 seed in the MEAC Tournament and face No. 7 North Carolina Central at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9 at Scope. Howard is the top seed.
Photo courtesy of Longwood Athletics