Women’s hoops’ win streak ends at Southwestern

Senior center Antoinette Reames is an art major at GCSU.

During her short, yet successful two-year stint at GCSU, Reames has used her drawing and painting skills to create a mural just outside the Bobcat locker rooms.

The piece signifies the success of Georgia College basketball, commemorating different players, coaches, and personnel, both past and present.

The painting, however, is missing Reames herself.

And with the way Reames has carried the Bobcats (17-7 overall, 10-4 PBC West) over the past week and a half, perhaps adding Reames into the work of art could prove worthwhile.

Over the last three games, Reames is averaging a double-double every time out, including a triple-double performance against conference rival Augusta State during the recent three-game stretch. Her efforts earned her Peach Belt Conference player of the week honors.

“The team decided that we had to work harder,” Reames said. “Everyone has made it a point to make every situation in practice game-like.”

Reames’ successful efforts have stemmed from beyond the court, however.

Recently, Reames lost a “father figure” in Deon Rainey, a personal trainer who helped Reames develop her basketball skills when she was in her adolescent years.

“After the Clayton State game, I told myself that I owed it to (Rainey) to finish out the season strong,” Reames said. “He taught me everything I know about the game to this point.”

This past Wednesday, the Bobcats ran into a well balanced Georgia Southwestern team, falling 73-61.

Junior guard Chimere Jordan led all scorers with 25 points, 20 coming in the second half.

The Bobcats lack of energy was evident in the contest. The Bobcats allowed the Hurricanes to shoot 46.7 percent overall in the first half of play, highlighted by the 5-of-10 performance behind the arc.

With the game close at 11-8 favoring the Hurricanes in the first half, a Bobcat turnover opened the flood gates for Georgia Southwestern. The Hurricanes went on a 14-0 run from the 12:56 mark to the 7:42 point.

GCSU trailed at the half 37-19.

“We did not bring effort and desire in the first period,” head coach John Carrick said.

When second period play opened, Jordan took matters in her own hands. Jordan’s strong second half helped the Bobcats slowly chip away at the Hurricane lead. Georgia College was able to pull within six at the 1:12 mark.

“There was a big contrast in the first half and the second half,” Carrick said. “We played with more competitiveness and energy.”

The intensity and energy returned too late, though, as the Hurricanes would score the final six points of the game, closing out with the win.

This past Saturday, the Bobcats defeated PBC rival USC Aiken 57-54.

The Bobcats were able to shoot above 40 percent from the field for the first time in five games en route to claim the victory.

At the end of the first period, the Bobcats led 33-26. GCSU never gave up the lead in the first half.

The Pacers battled back in the second stanza, going on a 13-5 run to momentarily regain the lead from GCSU at the 12:32 mark.

The Bobcats responded around the play of Reames down the final 10 minutes, as the senior corralled key rebounds and converted numerous layups down the stretch.

With the game close at 54-53 with 1:18 remaining, Pacer forward Hannah DeGraffinreed missed a layup attempt. Reames lassoed the rebound, and heaved an outlet pass upcourt to senior point guard Shandrea Moore. Moore then relayed a pass to junior guard Chimere Jordan who nailed a long 3-pointer with 52 seconds to play.

Taking a four-point lead down to the final seconds of the game, the Bobcats evaded trouble when Aiken senior forward Catherine Cain’s last second three at the buzzer clanged off the rim, bouncing high off the back-iron, and hitting the wooden floor to end the game.

After the game, Reames was pumping her fist in excitement.

“We have made sure that we are more prepared,” Reames said. “The team has brought more energy of late.”

Jordan led all scorers with 19 points, while Reames recorded her second straight double-digit scoring and rebounding performance with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

The Bobcats have also leaned on junior guard Dominique Huffin. Over the last six games, Huffin is averaging just under 10 points per game at 9.6.

“We have played a lot better lately,” Huffin said. “We have more focus and have come together as a team. The team has committed to each other in finishing the goals we set earlier this year.”

On Feb. 11, the Bobcats defeated Augusta State, 56-52, in the first overtime game of the year played by GCSU. Huffin paced the squad with 15 points, while Jordan added 13. Reames recorded a rare triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 blocks. Seven of the 10 rejections by Reames came in the first half.

The Bobcats now have three games remaining before the conference tournament begins in March.

Carrick knows the next three games ahead are crucial for conference seeding purposes. The Bobcats are currently tied for first with western division foe Clayton State.

The Bobcats return home on Saturday for their Homecoming contest against Columbus State at 1:30 p.m. GCSU ends the home portion of its schedule Wednesday, taking on the Falcons of Montevallo at 5:30 p.m. on Senior Day. GCSU hits the road for the final regular season game at North Georgia on Feb. 27 for a 2 p.m. tip-off.

“We have to stay focused on winning these next games,” Reames said. “We must stay dedicated to the team and to each other.”

Posted by Chandler Lee on Feb 19 2010. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry