One by one, over a succession of dead balls, they left the Smith Center court for the last time, hugging head coach Joe McKeown and a string of teammates on their way to the end of the bench. GW’s quartet of seniors each received hearty applause as they departed the floor, not just for their efforts in Saturday’s 66-27 win over Fordham, but for four years of contributions and accomplishments.
While there were certainly other notes from the game – junior Jazmine Adair’s 15 points and 12 rebounds, Fordham’s NCAA-record 29th loss this season – Senior Day undoubtedly belonged to four graduating teammates that have combined for more than 3,400 points, 1,500 rebounds, 1,100 assists and almost 700 steals in their careers.
“Really, it’s about them,” said McKeown, who took time to speak about the individual merits of all four seniors. “I’m just really proud to have had the opportunity to coach four young ladies like that.”
The quartet – guards Kim Beck and Sarah-Jo Lawrence, and forwards Whitney Allen and Lora Mitchell – started the game together and it was Mitchell, making her first career start, who scored the team’s first three points. It took the Colonials a few minutes to get the lead for good, but the game was never really in doubt. Fordham went nearly 11 minutes without scoring in the first half while GW, despite appearing sloppy and disjointed at times, managed to play well enough to command the game.
“Playing in a game like that was just weird, for lack of a better word,” said Lawrence, who finished with only four points while spending most of the game in foul trouble. “It’s just different in an atmosphere like that, but we still came out with a victory and that’s what we’re looking for.”
Afterwards, the seniors took some time to reflect on their collective career, which is nearing its end as the postseason approaches.
“We love that we were able to bring fans back to GW basketball,” Lawrence said. “I feel that they should continue to come because we have a legacy that is far from over.”
Beck, who tallied 13 points Saturday, was similarly hesitant to speak of conclusions in her sentiments.
“It’s been a rollercoaster ride,” she said of their time together. “We’ve had great wins and some bad losses through our four years but we’ve had a great run.”
“It’s not over,” she added.
With the win, the Colonials clinched a share of the regular season conference championship for the seventh straight year. But this senior class has yet to win the A-10 tournament, a fact not lost on them as they prepare for next weekend’s trip to Philadelphia.
“We want a title,” Lawrence said. “We haven’t cut the nets down yet, so that’s what we’re looking to do. We’re coming in full-force.”
And for this special crop of players, the ambition extends beyond a conference.
“After the A-10 tournament, we’re trying to make it deep in the NCAA tournament,” Beck said. “We’re trying not to stop early in March anymore. I think that’s everyone’s goal and everyone’s focus.”
The Colonials will receive a bye in the first round of next weekend’s conference tournament in Philadelphia. They will then play the winner of Friday’s matchup between St. Bonaventure and Rhode Island on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
