Sports in Brief

November 3, 2011

Jackson to move to shooting guard position

Junior Danni Jackson will switch from the point guard position to the shooting guard position for the women’s basketball team this season, head coach Mike Bozeman announced at the program’s media day Tuesday.

The move is designed to allow GW’s top returning scorer to utilize her offensive talent in a position geared to give her more opportunities at the basket.

Jackson was the Colonials’ top scorer last season, averaging 10.4 points per game and finishing 29th in the Atlantic 10, also leading the team in assists, averaging 4.2 per game. She posted 14 games with double-digit scores, and averaged a team-high 32.2 minutes in 27 games.

Bozeman believes Jackson’s abilities will be stronger in the shooting guard position, adding that the responsibilities that come with her current position, including running plays and controlling the ball, may be detracting from her ability to put the ball in the net. Jackson’s new position will couple with Bozeman’s new focus on a motion-oriented offensive front.

“We want to put her in a position where we can maximize her total gift,” Bozeman said.

GW will kick off its new season Nov. 8, when it hosts UDC in an exhibition match at 7 p.m.

Pumariega crowned tournament champion

Senior Andres Pumariega shot a one-over-par 73 in the final round of the three-day Kiawah Classic Tuesday, finishing in a tie for first place with Campbell’s Vaita Guillaume.

Earning his fourth career tournament victory as a member of the Colonials, Pumariega posted a three-round total of two-under 214 with scores of 70, 71 and 73 to earn the championship. He was in second place after 36 holes Monday, and bogeyed three of his first eight holes Tuesday, but quickly rebounded for birdies on Nos. 13, 14 and 16 to battle back.

“I really tried to stay patient and have a positive attitude,” Pumariega said. “This was a tough course, and I got off to a rocky start today, but I knew I had a chance to win if I stayed mentally focused.”

As a team, GW finished fifth of 21 with a combined three-round score of 47-over 911. The tournament took place at the Jack Nicklaus-designed par-72 Turtle Point Golf Course on Kiawah Island, S.C., and was the last competition for the Colonials until March 2012.

“This tournament gave us the boost we needed heading into our spring season,” head coach Terry Shaffer said. “I am pleased with how everyone played, and I hope we can keep it up in the off season.”