By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics
With 22 points in Sunday's win over Drexel, Sydney Wagner was William & Mary's leading scorer for the ninth time in 11 games. But she wasn't the big story, or even the second-biggest story, in what was the Tribe's best performance of the season.
Bailey Eichner, a 6-foot-2 senior, filled the stat sheet with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. The points and assists were career highs, and it was only the third time in 77 career games she had scored in double figures.
Bre Bellamy, a sophomore who hadn't scored more than seven points in a game this season, erupted for 19 on 8-of-14 shooting. Fourteen of those points came in the second quarter as the Tribe outscored Drexel 25-11.
Eichner has become more active on the offensive end with 31 points in her last three games. She's attempted 17 shots in that span, which matches her total in the season's first six games. She set a career high with 12 points on Jan. 10 against Delaware and broke that a week later vs. Drexel.
Eichner is an outstanding passer, which W&M coach Ed Swanson appreciates. But he also likes the idea of Eichner looking for her chances.
"She's got to look for her opportunities to attack," he said. "In her defense, last year, her role was a little different with rebounding and defense. This year, we're asking her to score a little bit more. It takes some time to settle into that role of looking to be a scorer.
"Even at Delaware the previous weekend, we saw her be a little more aggressive on the offensive side. She is super-athletic. She's quick. Hopefully, she can build on her last two weekends."
Bellamy, who has dealt with injuries this season, was averaging 5.4 points a game before Sunday. After a scoreless first quarter, she personally outscored Drexel 14-11 in the second. She was 6-of-7 from the field, 2-of-2 from the 3-point arc, in the quarter.
Swanson didn't necessarily expect those numbers, but he saw some good signs during the week.
"I thought in Thursday's and Friday's practices, she really looked good in terms of how she was moving," Swanson said. "She looked more confident. There was no hesitation.
"Her shots were in rhythm, and that had something to do with our offensive execution. We were moving the ball well and in rhythm. When you take rhythm shots, they typically go in."
Bellamy had started the first five games of the season. She's been coming off the bench for the past six , but Swanson said it was no reflection of her play.
"We're a little more diverse when Sydney's at the wing spot to start the game and (Chaniqwa Gilliam) is at the point," Swanson said. "It doesn't start Syd off trying to score and also facilitate the ball. It fits into what we're trying to do a little better."
Since entering the starting lineup, Gilliam has averaged 7 points and nearly two assists a game.
Next for W&M (5-6, 2-4 CAA) is Charleston (4-2, 0-0), which because of COVID-19 issues hasn't played since Dec. 19. The Cougars have had six conference games — two each against Delaware, Drexel, and Northeastern — postponed.
Swanson doesn't believe the gap in Charleston's schedule will affect his team preparation.
"They've played six games, so we have video of them playing," Swanson said. "We have a history of playing them last year, so it's not like they have a new coach and it's their first game of the year. So in preparing, it won't affect us at all.
"They were playing well before their pause. They play a real up-tempo style of game where they shoot a lot of 3s. They press and they run and jump and try to force turnovers. And they score a lot of points."
