CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A 10-0 run to open the game and an impressive display of defense in the third quarter allowed Parkersburg to pick up a significant MSAC victory at George Washington, 75-62. The Big Reds completed a 3-0 week and they remain in the mix for a spot in the conference championship game.
“It was really pretty much a complete game by us,” said Parkersburg head coach Chris Murray. “I was really proud of the effort to go on the road. We had [Wheeling] Park on Tuesday and then we had Capital and then this game. I was really proud of the girls and their effort this week. And we have to do it again next week. We have to get after it again.”
Back-to-back three-pointers from Lauren Flanagan capped a game-opening burst which gave PHS a 10-point lead just three minutes into the contest. Parkersburg led 19-11 after the opening eight minutes.
GW responded with an 8-0 run in between the first and second quarters to pull within a basket. However, the visitors rebuilt a double-digit lead by halftime, 42-29.
Parkersburg clamped down defensively in the third quarter, yielding just seven points to the Patriots. PHS led 59-36 heading into the final frame.
“We really pride ourselves on what our intensity looks like in the third quarter. We did the same thing against Wheeling Park. The goal is we want to make them call the first timeout of the quarter. If we can achieve that, we feel pretty good about what we do.”
George Washington would trim a 25-point deficit down to ten points midway through the fourth quarter. However, the Big Reds held on in the late minutes, improving to 4-1 in MSAC play.
“What we’ve got to get better at is our fourth quarter. There’s pieces where we just miss some stuff and then they sped us up. They made some good adjustments out of the press. They started dropping down and leaving out. So they made some good adjustments in the fourth.”
Four Parkersburg players scored in double digits. They were led by Frances Guice’s 21-point effort.
“It is really ‘pick your poison’ I think with our group. We really have some good balance with shooters and everything else.
“Franny can get that anytime she wants. It just depends on the matchup. She got a good one today and she took advantage of it.”
Kennedy Porter scored 18 points for the Big Reds. Flanagan had 15 points and Audriana Medina added 17.
Parkersburg (12-3) has won five consecutive games.
“The key is that you don’t want to peak too early. We’ve got to keep working and we’ve got to keep going. Next week, there’s no break again with Hurricane, Huntington and then Morgantown. We’re really going to have to lock in and focus up again.”
George Washington (9-6) saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end. Jeriyah Pryor led GW with 27 points while Rayana Breckenridge added 18 points.