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Women Start Horizon League Play

By Kevin C. Smith
The Lady Raiders finished their tough non-conference schedule with their loss at University of Cincinnati. Considering many factors, such as the teams they played and playing with just nine players, they finished it with an impressive 4-6 record. That record places them sixth in the HL, right behind UW-Milwaukee.

December 31, 2009
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When you look at the schedule our women's team has played you'll see that although their record may not reflect a winning one, they have played some great games. The nine player team has played several ranked opponents, with larger rosters and they've done well. Their biggest lost was to the #6 team in the country - Ohio State. They lost that game by 37 points, 84-47, in Columbus. Their losses against top 25 teams this season were by an average of 25 points.

They have also had some impressive wins. Robert Morris (58-54) has the highest Sagarin rating of the teams WSU beat - 186. WSU is currently rated 166. They also beat Miami 75-68 (rated 267), always a tough opponent for the WSU women. They have played all of their opponents close and have come close to grabbing an additional win a few times.

Now the long road show continues against Horizon League teams. The Raiders just finished the fifth game in an eight game road schedule. They won't see their home court until the middle of January. Their last home game was December 2nd against #16 Vanderbilt.

Wright State next will travel to Detroit on January 3rd. Detroit is currently ninth in the HL (2-9). After that a quick visit home, the women will face #22 UW-Green Bay (11-0, SAG rating 11) on Thursday the 7th followed on Saturday the 9th with a game against UW-Milwaukee (5-6, SAG 168) currently tied for fourth in the Horizon League.

So how are the Raiders doing compared to other teams? As of Dec 20th, with 332 teams ranked by the NCAA, they have some good numbers. They are 178 in Free-Throw percentage at 67.1%. That is much improved from last year (57%). Their Field Goal percentage (40.5) puts them at 146 nationally. Their highest ranking is for Three-point Field Goal percentage - 34.8%. That puts them at 89th in the country again out of the 332 ranked. They are also ranked in the top 200 teams in four other categories.

The NCAA ranks the top 332 women players. Junior Kanisha Ward is ranked 153 for assists per game with 3.3, while Sophomore LaShawna Thomas is at 214 with 3.3 per game. They are also ranked 110 and 250 respectfully in steals per game. Sophomore Maria Bennett, who has been recognized openly by a couple of opposing coaches as a shooter to be guarded, is ranked 99th in three-point FG percentage at 37.9% and 66th for three-point FGs made per game at 2.4 per game. In two different games, Dayton and UC, when she entered play their coaches yelled out to their teams - "That's the Shooter" and both times they had their top players guard her.

These women are playing as a team this year. They put on a very tough defensive effort and stifle many good opposing players. They have kept several players and teams below their averages. This year the team is mixing up their plays much better. They combine inside, three point shots and long jump shots, keeping opposing teams spread out.

When the Lady Raiders play their first HL game in the Nutter Center this year, I'm predicting they will be 2-1 in HL play. Thursday Jan 14, mark your calendars to come to the Nutter Center at 7pm. Wright State will be hosting Loyola, currently in third place in the HL, with a 6-5 record.