University Athletic Association

[gordonmann]

The Bears looked very good today.  The forwards can pass, the guards can shoot and rebound (even though they are small) and everyone plays defense.  Vintage Central region ball.

The only thing that would worry me a little as a Wash U. fan is Manning's health.  She kept reaching down at her left knee near the end of the game.  I'm not sure if it was bothering her or just a subconcious thing, but she's obviously a key part of their future success.

And a great environment as always at the Cole Center.  They have a great mascot, the best pep band I've ever seen, a top notch facility and great media support.  Now if we can just work on that NYC traffic

[jagluski]

Now if we can just work on that NYC traffic

Gordon, that's why those of us who live in Manhattan take the subway and don't have cars


Go Bears!

[bearsfan]

I have to say that I think Decanay made her case for Newcomer of the Year. 23 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals with only 6 turnovers. She even threw in a block as a 5'3" point guard. And against Brandeis and NYU on the road. She'd get my vote if I had one.

[jagluski]

New Top 25

#3 Wash U (also gains 2 first-place votes)
#13 Brandeis


NYU and Rochester are receiving votes.  Wash U also moves from 16th in the QoWI to 5th.

[jagluski]

New regional rankings(and finally, the WU-Maryville debate can stop on this board as Maryville has actually fallen to 3rd)

Central
1 Washington U. 16-2 22-2
2 Wheaton (Ill.) 15-3 20-4
3 Maryville (Mo.) 14-0 20-4

East
1 Medaille 21-1 23-1
2 Rochester 17-6 17-7
3 St. John Fisher 21-2 22-2
4 Cortland State 20-3 21-3
5 New York University 18-6 18-6

Northeast
1 Southern Maine 23-1 24-1
2 Bowdoin 19-2 22-2
3 Brandeis 18-4 18-4
4 Williams 17-4 20-4
5 Bates 17-5 18-7

[Wydown Blvd.]

yeppers, everything happened as predicted with the QOWi and such. numbers never lie.....well at least not in this case.

[mark_reichert]

Do you think there will be a game Friday, March 3rd?  I might have a conflict.

[jagluski]

Yes.  I'd say the odds of Wash U being the 1 team with a bye aren't too great(but they aren't too great with any other team either).  The central region is crowded enough that I doubt they get the bye.

[sandman]

I will be in Cleveland for the Case-Emory game today, so I won't be able to give updates, but I'll provide a recap when I get back.

Today, I'll root for whatever combination of teams results in the most teams making the NCAA tournament, which means (sorry Allen, but I think your Judges are safe) that I've got to pull for NYU, since they'll probably not make it if they lose.  Rochester also needs to win; Chicago is most likely out.

[deiscanton]

Sandman--

From a Brandeis fan's perspective, this game against NYU is to try to get payback against the Violets for what happened in New York earlier this season, plus a chance for Brandeis to host a regional "pod" next weekend with a victory.  Brandeis might still host even with a loss, but a win would boost Brandeis's case for hosting next weekend.  I am surely glad that Brandeis defeated Chicago last Sunday to secure their "Pool C.", and I would rather be home next weekend than have to play in Maine next weekend-- but I will go wherever the NCAA sends Brandeis.

NYU needs this game to secure a "Pool C" invite, and I do have some mixed feelings about this game.  NYU should have secured their invite before coming to Auerbach Arena, because Brandieis is not going to make it easy on them-- on the other hand, if the human factor could play into it, and if the primary criteria had not to be strictly followed, there are 5 UAA teams (Wash U, Rochester, Brandeis, Chicago, and NYU) who are NCAA tournament worthy.  Only 4 of those teams will get in at most. 

So, I really don't care if the rest of the conference is pulling for NYU today, I want to beat them for what happened earlier this season.

[WBRSsports]

If you can't make it to Waltham today, listen in to www.wbrs.org for the men's and women's action live on WBRS 100.1 FM

[jagluski]

From Chicago, IL

At the half...

#3 Wash U 47, Chicago 44

Chicago ended the first half on a 8-2 run to cut the Bears lead to 3.  The Bears are led by seniors Kelly Manning with 24 points and Danielle Beehler with 12 points and 8 rebounds.  Chicago is led by Nofi Mojidi with 21 points.

[deiscanton]

Halftime from Auerbach Arena-- Waltham, MA

Brandeis 31, NYU 25

[jagluski]

From Chicago, IL

2:30 to go 2nd half...

#3 Wash U 77, Chicago 73

Chicago is on an 11-2 run over the last 2:30.

[jagluski]

From Chicago, IL

Final Score...

#3 Wash U 87, Chicago 77

In a fitting ending to their regular-season careers, the Bears were led today by their 3 seniors, who scored 70 of their 87 points, as they finish the regular season 23-2(13-1).

Kelly Manning led the Bears with 39 points, which is her career-high as well as an all-time UAA record for single game scoring.  That's a pretty special final regular-season game in my book(and I'm also wondering if she'll have a shot at 1st team All-America...I would feel pretty safe saying she will again be UAA player of the year).  Danielle Beehler closes out her career with yet another double-double: 20 points and 12 rebounds.  Katie Benson had 11 points and 6 rebounds.

After Chicago was trailing most of the second half in double digits, they made a big run late and were within 4 multiple times with a couple minutes to play, but they could never get any closer.  They were led by Nofi Mojidi's 26 points.

While the rest of the UAA awaits the selections around 10pm tomorrow night, the Bears are the only team who know they are definitely in the tournament.  They await the pairings announcement at 8am Monday morning to find out who/where they will be playing.  Good luck to the Bears on their Road to Springfield!