WILLIAMSBURG, Va.—The William & Mary women's basketball team hosts Howard for the first time since 2018 on Friday at Kaplan Arena. The game will be at 2 p.m. on both MASN and FloCollege.
Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, as the game will also serve as a food drive for those in need in the Williamsburg community. Those who participate by bringing an item will be able to buy a general admission ticket for 50% off at will call.
Tribe on the Air
Friday's matchup will be the first of five W&M games broadcast on MASN this season. Home matchups with UNCW, Campbell, Charleston and Hofstra can also be caught on the regional sports network, while still being simulcast on FloCollege.
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 2024-25 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
For the first time since 2018, William & Mary and Howard will do battle. Tip is set for 2 p.m. in Kaplan Arena and will be broadcast on FloCollege and MASN. W&M will be looking to snap a two-game skid.
•
The Opponent
Tied as the preseason favorites in the MEAC with Norfolk State, Howard comes to Williamsburg at 4-2 on the young season. Much like the Tribe's last opponent, ODU, Howard makes their hay on the defensive end, holding teams to 57.7 points per game while holding opponents to 34.7% shooting, 24th best in the nation. The two losses for the Bison came against VCU and ECU.
• Last Time Out
The Tribe dropped their 100th all-time meeting with Old Dominion on Tuesday in Norfolk, 63-39. The Monarchs stifling defense was the story in that one, holding W&M below 30% from the floor and just 2-for-20 from deep.
Bella Nascimento led the Tribe with 15 points.
• Tribe on the Air
Friday's matchup will be the first of five W&M games broadcast on MASN this season. Home matchups with UNCW, Campbell, Charleston and Hofstra can also be caught on the regional sports network, while still being simulcast on FloCollege.
• Running the Gauntlet
Saying that the Tribe's schedule to open the season has been challenging would be an understatement. The five teams that have beaten the Tribe this season currently have a combined record of 24-6 as of Thursday. All of those games were on the road as well.
• Ballin' Bella
With her 15 points against Old Dominion,
Bella Nascimento tied a career mark for most consecutive games in double-figures at six. Nascimento has provided consistent scoring for the Tribe so far this season through six games, including opening the season with back-to-back 21 point performances. Her previous six game stretch in double figures came as a sophomore at Manhattan.
• Career-High for Sallman
With
Natalie Fox out the last two games due to injury,
Jana Sallman has seen a nice spike in minutes for the Tribe and stepped up to provide scoring at Old Dominion on Tuesday. The sophomore scored eight points, surpassing her previous career-high of seven that she set last year playing at Memphis. Sallman also went 4-for-6 from the free-throw line, setting a career mark for both makes and attempts.
• Back-to-Back for KB
Graduate center
Kayla Beckwith has posted 10 points against both Chowan and Richmond for W&M, marking just the second time in her career she has scored in double figures in consecutive games. The first time she accomplished the feat was three years ago as a sophomore.
• Let it Fly, 5
Bella Nascimento's strong scoring start also reflects in the statistical rankings through six games. The sophomore's 37 made field goals rank as the second most in the CAA, while her 15.7 points per game currently place her fourth in the conference.
• Pack Your Bags
From Nov. 29 until Jan. 3 the Tribe will not play a game at home. The 35 straight days without a home game is the fifth longest stretch in DI.
• Ready From the Jump
The Tribe's 29 first quarter points against Chowan were the most by W&M in an opening quarter since scoring 30 against USC Upstate in 2017. They also rank as the third most first frame points in program history since the women's game switched to quarters in 2015-16. The Tribe's 31 at Northeastern in Jan. 2016 is the most all-time.
• Speaking of Strong Starts...
W&M's 29-6 advantage after the first quarter against Chowan ties the largest lead the Tribe have ever held after one in the quarters era (2015-16). W&M held a 27-4 lead over Hofstra after the first in 2020.
• Locking it Down
The Tribe's 42 points allowed against Chowan is the least number of points given up by W&M under
Erin Dickerson Davis. The Tribe only gave up 31 against Randolph College in 2021, the last time they held a team to 42 points or less.
• Newfound Height
The Tribe adds six new players to the roster in 2024-25, four freshmen and two transfers. Five of the six newcomers are over 6-feet tall. The average height of the six new players is slightly over 6'1, while the average height of the eight returners is 5'9.
• Speaking of Height...
Freshman
Natalie Fox is the Tribe's tallest newcomer, as well as tallest player, this season at 6-foot-4. She is the tallest player W&M has had since Abby Rendle, also at 6-foot-4, who graduated in 2018
•Punching the Time Clock
All eight of the returners for W&M played in at least 24 games last year and averaged over 10 minutes per game, accounting for 84% of minutes and 81% of starts for the Tribe a season ago. The group also accounted for 94% of the Tribe's assists last year and 70.7% of last year's scoring.
• Coach E Extended
W&M Director of Athletics, Brian Mann, announced in late August that head coach
Erin Dickerson Davis had agreed to a contract extension through 2029. Through two seasons Davis became the fastest coach to 20 CAA wins in program history and fastest to 30 career wins in 95 years.
• Preseason Accolades
Bella Nascimento earned Preseason All-CAA Second Team honors on Oct. 18 and is the Tribe's returning leading scorer at 12.4ppg.
Cassidy Geddes earned a preseason honorable mention coming off her CAA All-Rookie honors last year. W&M was picked tied for fourth in the preseason poll.
• 60 is the Magic Number
60 points is a key number for W&M. The Tribe is 18-5 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 30-4 against them when scoring 70+ since 2020-21. Offensively, the Tribe is 32-12 when scoring over 60 and 2-20 when held below 60 under Davis.
• A Look Back
W&M enters year three of the
Erin Dickerson Davis era fresh off their second consecutive winning season (15-14), and second consecutive 12-6 mark in CAA play. The Tribe finished fifth in CAA posting back-to-back top-five finishes in the conference for the first time since 2007. During last year's non-conference W&M also won the FIU Thanksgiving Classic.
