Preview: GMU vs. Oakland

Another Women's Basketball season is upon us, as the year kicks off with the Lady Patriots visiting the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on November 9th, tip-off scheduled for 5 pm. The 2012-13 campaign brings back some old faces as three starters return: Sr. Guard/Forward Amber Easter (12 ppg, 7 rpg), Redshirt Jr. Forward Janaa Pickard (8.5 ppg 5.6 rpg), and Sr. Guard Rahneeka Saunders (7.5 ppg 5.4 rpg). Sorely missed from last year's graduating class will be the inside presence of Evelyn Lewis and the flashy scoring of Taleia Moton, as GMU will need some of the younger players such as 6'2 Sophomore Talisha Watts and her fellow Sophomore Rachel McNair to help fill the shoes down low.The Patriots finished 15-16 overall last season, losing in the CAA Quarterfinals to JMU. There was plenty of exciting moments last year that Coach Jeri Porter hopes continue to this year's Patriots.

A win on the road to kick off the season would be huge for a team that finished 4-10 on the road last year, one of those four being against these very same Golden Grizzlies (59-48). Look for Pickard to have a strong game as she was able to collect four blocks in last year's victory. Pickard really flourished last season into quite an offensive force, able to hit elbow jumpers on a consistent basis as well as draw fouls. There should be no doubt that she will most likely improve even more on last year's numbers to round out the "Big Three".  Saunders will look to average in double-figures this season with more opportunities now with Moton gone, she will need to have a big scoring game right off the bat to complement the scoring production of Easter.

Some other key names to mention: the sharp-shooting Junior Guard Christine Weithman and the 6'0 Redshirt Senior Forward Joyous Tharrington. Weithman shot close to 40% from long-range last year (2nd on the team) and shoots well from the free-throw stripe. Weithman mainly came off the bench last season but if she can continue to hit bombs on a consistent basis there should be plenty of minutes available for her at shooting guard. Tharrington was another player who really pulled together a strong season, finishing just behind Moton with field goal percentage (.448), also grabbing plenty of boards and making 27 of 33 free-throws last year (.818).

 A major key is limiting turnovers, without Moton handling the ball this year the pressure will be on Saunders to keep those turnover numbers low. They also can't let Oakland have any second chances, losing Lewis down low with her rebounding ability will be tough, but Mason has some players who can really clean up the glass. If they can accomplish these things, GMU can start off the year on the right foot.