Nov. 25, 2009

Box Score

Mount Pleasant, Mich. - The Georgetown University women's basketball squad used a late second-half surge to down the Central Michigan University Chippewas (0-4), 95-69, Wednesday afternoon in CMU's second annual Recess at Rose. The Hoyas led throughout almost the entire game and finished the contest with a 16-1 run to improve to 4-2 on the season. The game marks the last road contest in a six-game trip to open the season for the Blue & Gray.

"At times I thought we looked really good," said Head Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy. "We played aggressive defense for parts of the game and I was pleased that we forced 28 turnovers. Our defense is what is going to help us win games this season."

The game started as a shootout with the teams combining for six three's by the first timeout at 14:30. The Georgetown offense was generating layups off of the press break and hitting three's with its half-court plays, but allowed the same on the other end. Midway through the half, GU led by just one, 28-26, after allowing six Chippewa three's just nine minutes in.

A number of defensive stops late in the first allowed the Hoyas to put together a 16-3 run fueled by six points from Ta'Shauna "Sugar" Rodgers (Suffolk, Va./King's Fork). The Blue & Gray went into the break leading 49-38. Despite some defensive struggles early in the contest, GU buckled down and forced 15 Chippewa turnovers to take a significant lead in the half.

Rodgers led all scorers with 17 points in the first, while Monica McNutt (Suitland, Md./Academy of the Holy Cross) and Jaleesa Butler (St. Louis, Mo./Alton) each posted seven. Butler had a team-best eight rebounds in the half. Georgetown shot 50 percent but allowed 46.2 percent shooting by the Chippewas. The Hoyas also outrebounded CMU 20-15.

Shonda Long led Central Michigan with 11 points in the half, GU allowed eight CMU trey's.

The Chippewas came out strong in the second and started chipping away at the lead, however, Tia Magee's (Tulsa, Okla./Jenks) four points to open the half held the eight-point advantage. A three and a layup from Rodgers as well as some CMU fouls allowed GU hold possession and go ahead 62-46 just four minutes in to get some breathing room.

An 11-0 run by CMU at the eight-minute mark cut the lead to eight and it looked like the Chippewas might make a comeback and take the game down to the wire. Magee ended the run hitting the front end of the bonus and the teams began trading buckets.

Late in the half, GU managed regain the double-digit lead thanks to a 16-0 run and forcing five turnovers over four minutes as Rubylee Wright (Latta, S.C./Latta) contributed a quartet of layups to pace the Hoyas. At the final whistle, the Blue & Gray won 94-69 closing out the game on a high note.

Rodgers led all scorers with a career-best 29 points shooting 50 percent from the field and going a perfect 4-for-4 at the charity stripe. Magee scored 12 points in the second half to finish with 18 on the afternoon as well as nine rebounds and eight assists closing in on the triple-double. Butler was Georgetown's top rebounder with 10 boards to her credit. GU shot 49.3 percent for the game and posted 18 steals on 28 CMU turnovers. The Hoyas also outrebounded the Chippewas 41-38.

The six-game road swing is complete and Georgetown will play its first home game of the season this weekend as the team hosts Wofford on Saturday at McDonough Arena. Live stats and a webcast featuring Drew Wiseman will be available at www.GUHoyas,com. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.