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College basketball

WVU Women's Basketball Faces Tough Test Against DePaul

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The West Virginia University (WVU) women's basketball team is looking to bounce back from a week of inactivity, which was forced due to injuries and illnesses. Shooting guard Takisha Granberry suffered from knee tendinitis, while point guard Ashley Powell and forward Cynthia Fullard battled illness. Despite the challenges, the team is expected to have the three players ready to play against the No. 25-ranked DePaul Blue Demons.

The Mountaineers are facing a difficult opponent in DePaul, which has claimed its third straight conference victory. Guard Deirdre Naughton is DePaul's leading scorer at 16.8 points per game, and the team also has a strong inside presence in 6-foot-2 freshman forward Keisha Hampton and 6-3 senior forward Natasha Williams.

"We're going to have to play good defense and front them down low," said WVU guard Liz Repella. "We have to make sure we get pressure out on the perimeter, so they can't throw it in." WVU coach Mike Carey agreed, stating that DePaul is a "very good basketball team" and that they will need to "play hard for 40 minutes" to come out on top.

The WVU-DePaul series is 2-2, and the Mountaineers are playing at DePaul for just the second time. The game is also dedicated to North Carolina State women's basketball coach Kay Yow, who passed away due to breast cancer this past week. The proceeds from the game will benefit the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer fund.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WVU women's basketball team is facing a tough test against the No. 25-ranked DePaul Blue Demons.
  • Deirdre Naughton is DePaul's leading scorer at 16.8 points per game.
  • Keisha Hampton and Natasha Williams are key contributors to DePaul's strong inside presence.
  • The WVU-DePaul series is 2-2.
  • The game is dedicated to North Carolina State women's basketball coach Kay Yow, who passed away due to breast cancer.
  • The proceeds from the game will benefit the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer fund.

Statistics:

  • Deirdre Naughton's average points per game: 16.8.
  • Keisha Hampton's points and rebounds in the victory against St. John's: 13 points and 11 rebounds.
  • Natasha Williams' average points per game: 15.
  • Natasha Williams' rebounds per game: 6.6.
  • The WVU Mountaineers' Big East record: 1-5.
  • The DePaul Blue Demons' overall record: 16-5.
  • The DePaul Blue Demons' Big East record: 4-3.

Sources:

  • The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
  • McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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