WILLIAMSBURG, Va.— William & Mary women's hoops returns to Kaplan Arena on Friday to host the Blue Hens of Delaware. Tip is set for 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 tries to improve on their best start in seven years in conference play at 3-1, welcoming Delaware to town Friday evening at 7p.m. The game will be broadcast on FloHoops.
• The Opponent
Delaware had an early bye in the CAA season, not playing last Friday, before dropping a home contest to first-place Stony Brook 79-67. The loss brought the Hens to 2-1 and CAA play and 6-9 overall. Delaware has some offensive pop at their disposal, ranking top-five in the conference in points per game, FG% and 3PT%.
• Last Time Out
The Tribe found themselves just up five at the end of the first half at Elon on Sunday before cruising to a 19-point victory thanks to hot second half shooting. W&M posted 52% from the floor in the second half in the 62-43 win. Bella Nascimento posted her first career double-double with 21 points and a career-high 10 boards.
•Road Warriors
The Tribe made some history on Sunday at Elon. With the win, W&M went to 3-0 on the road in conference play, the first time the Tribe have won their first three league road games in program history. They currently sit at 6-2 away from Williamsburg, tying their best road start since 2019-20.
• YOU Won't Drive 55
The Tribe have kept their opponents below 55 points in the last three contests, allowing 46, 53 and 43 respectively. The last time W&M held their opponents in three consecutive outings was a three game stretch in Dec. 2020 against Navy, George Mason and Norfolk State. It's the first time the Tribe have accomplished the feat in CAAA play since 2007.
• Locking it Down on D
William & Mary's defense has been absolutely stellar in their three CAA wins. The Tribe held their opening weekend opponents to 4-of-29 shooting in the fourth frame with Hofstra held scoreless over the final 3:04 and Monmouth the final 4:24 of regulation. Elon's 43 points Sunday are the least allowed by W&M so far this season.
•Career-High Cauley
Anahi Cauley earned the first start of her college career at Monmouth, and to say she made the most of it is an understatement. Cauley shattered her previous career-high of 11, pouring in 22 on the Hawks. The Villanova transfer also set career-highs in field goals made (9), field goals attempted (14) and free throws attempted (5). She tied her career-mark in makes from the line with four. Cauley followed that up with a career high three blocks at Hofstra. She didn't stop there though, tying her career high in assists with four vs. Elon.
• Leave it to Lex
Alexa Mikeska was a force to be reckoned with on the glass the against the Pride and Aggies. The sophomore snagged a career-high 11 rebounds in the win at Hofstra to go with her five points Mikeska followed that up with a nine rebound game vs. A&T to go with six points and four steals.
• Nothin' But NET
The Tribe currently hold the second best NET rating in the CAA heading into the third weekend of conference play. Sitting at 158 as of Wednesday, it is the Tribe's highest rating in the NET since the end of the 2019-20 season when they were 119.
• Boards & Buckets for Bella
Bella Nascimento had a career afternoon on Sunday at Elon with 21 points and a career-high 10 rebounds for her first career double-double. Nascimento shattered her previous career-high in boards which was six. The 21 points marked her fourth 20+ point performance of the year and eighth of the season.
• Protecting the Rock
The Tribe have turned the ball over 14 or less times in five of the last even games. W&M has won the turnover battle in seven consecutive games and have a 7-3 record when doing so this season.
• Halftime Leads
W&M has held the lead at halftime in nine of their 15 games this season, going 6-3 in such games. They are 18-4 when leading after 20 minutes under Erin Dickerson Davis.
• The Energizer Bella
Bella Nascimento has been a constant on the floor for W&M, and is currently fifth in the CAA in minutes per game (34.0). The former Manhattan Jasper set a career-high in minutes at FIU playing 39. She's played at least 33 minutes in 12 of the 15 games and earned FIU Thanksgiving Classic MVP honors. She has led the Tribe in scoring seven of the last 10 games, with 12 games in double figures this season.
• 60 is the Magic Number
The Tribe has held their opponents under 60 points in five of their six wins this season, while opponents have scored over 60 in all seven W&M losses. The Tribe is 13-3 under Erin Dickerson Davis when holding teams below 60. While team's have had a mixed bag of success scoring in the 60s vs. W&M, opponents are 24-3 against them when scoring 70+ since 2020-21.
• Formidable Opponents
William & Mary's non-conference slate was set up to be a challenging one and proved to be. The seven teams who have beaten the Tribe this year own a combined record of 62-18 in the non-conference.
