WILLIAMSBURG, Va.— William & Mary women's basketball tackles the second leg of their three-game homestand to open the season when they welcome VCU on Friday. The Tribe (0-1, 0-0 CAA) and Rams (1-0, 0-0 A-10) will tip for the 124th time at 7 p.m., with the game broadcast on FloHoops.
Fans can keep up with W&M women's basketball by following the program on social media as well. Be sure to check out the Tribe on Twitter (@WMTribeWBB), Facebook (WMTribeWBB), and Instagram (WMTribeWBB).
Clear Bag Policy
William & Mary Athletics, in conjunction with the William & Mary Police Department, has implemented a clear bag policy that regulates the size and type of bag that may be carried into W&M Athletics facilities during the 2023-24 year, including Busch Field, Kaplan Arena, Martin Family Stadium, Plumeri Park, and Zable Stadium. Information as well as approved and prohibited items is available at TribeAtheltics.com.
TRIBE NOTES
The Matchup
William & Mary takes on VCU for the 124th time when the teams meet Friday at Kaplan Arena. The matchup is the second of three home games for W&M to open the 2023-24 season.
The Opponent
The VCU Rams got their season off to a stellar start, taking down Hofstra 72-44 on Tuesday night. The Rams posted a 7-22 record last year while going 4-12 in the A-10, and bowed out in the first round of the conference tournament. VCU had three players in double-figures Tuesday while shooting a blistering 8-for-14 from deep. That was good for the second highest 3pt% (57%) in the nation in season openers. They were also +19 on the glass Tuesday. Sarah Te-Biasu returns as the Rams leading scorer, averaging 16.0 ppg in 2022-23.
Last Time Out
The Tribe dropped a heartbreaker, 66-64 to Norfolk State in the season opener on Monday night. The Green and Gold opened up a 20 point lead in the 2nd quarter before the Spartans came storming back. The Tribe found themselves down nine with 3:31 to go, but closed the gap enough to give Bella Nascimento a chance to win with a 3-pointer as time expired. Nylah Young had 29 points and nine rebounds in her W&M debut. Kayla Rolph tied her career high with 13 points and set a new career high with nine boards.
Record Setting Start for Nylah
Nylah Young wasted no time getting aclamated in her first ever game in Green and Gold. The Hampton transfer put up 29 points on 9-for-14 shooting. The effort set the mark for most points ever by a Tribe player in a season opener.
Like Clockwork
The Tribe and VCU meet 364 days after their previous meeting. W&M grabbed a 66-61 road OT victory. Madison Magee played a massive role in the win setting a career high with 11 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
Home Cookin'
The Tribe starts the new campaign with a three-game homestand in the season's first week. The last time W&M opened a season with three consecutive home games was in 1986.
Rolph's Career Night
Kayla Rolph had her most complete game of her career on Monday night. The sophomore tied her career high with 13 points, while setting a new high watermark in rebounds with nine. Rolph also got to the line for six free throws, a new career high, including converting a three-point play to pull the Tribe within one with 16 seconds left.
Preseason Prognostications
The CAA released their 2023-24 preseason poll last month with the Tribe selected ninth out of 14 teams. The leagues head coaches voted on the poll with Towson picked to repeat at regular season champs. Stony Brook, Northeastern and Charleston also received first-place votes.
