CAA Women's Basketball

CAA Women's Basketball Report | Jan. 24, 2022

CAA Women's Basketball Report | Jan. 24, 2022

Catch up on the CAA Women's Basketball weekly news, notes, and awards.

Jan 24, 2022 by FloHoops Staff
CAA Women's Basketball Report | Jan. 24, 2022

WEEKLY HONORS:

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Keishana Washington, Drexel

Senior | Guard | Pickering, Ontario, Canada / Durham Prep

Washington led Drexel to a 2-0 week with wins over teams previously unbeaten in CAA play. The senior guard averaged 19.0 points per game, helping the Dragons improve to 6-0 in conference play and extend their winning streak to 11 games. On Tuesday, Washington scored a game-high 17 points, adding three rebounds, two assists and two steals as Drexel defeated Towson 58-54. In a battle for first place on Sunday, Washington totaled 21 points with three rebounds, three assists and one steal. After entering the fourth quarter tied, the senior guard scored 11 of Drexel’s 18 points, willing the Dragons to a 70-62 victory. Washington has reached double figures scoring in all 16 games this season, and she ranks third in the conference averaging 17.9 points per game. 

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Claudia Soriano, Northeastern

Freshman | Guard | Barcelona, Spain / Jesuites Gràcia Col · Legi Kostka

Soriano helped Northeastern to a weekend sweep in CAA play, averaging 10.0 points, 5.0 assists and 4.5 steals per game. Against Elon, the freshman guard contributed 10 points with four steals and two assists in a 68-52 win for the Huskies. She improved her performance on Sunday, recording 10 points, a season-high eight assists, and five steals in a 67-57 victory over William & Mary. Soriano has recorded multiple steals in 13 games this season and has three or more on 11 occasions. She leads the conference and ranks sixth in the NCAA with 3.53 steals per game. 

CONFERENCE NOTES:

DREXEL EMERGES AS THE LAST UNBEATEN IN CAA PLAY: Drexel improved to 6-0 in conference play with a pair of wins over previously unbeaten teams last week. On Tuesday, the Dragons edged Towson 58-54, handing the Tigers its first CAA loss of the season. On Sunday, Drexel defeated Delaware 70-62 in a rematch of last March's CAA Championship game, ending the Blue Hens four-game winning streak in conference action. 

CAA ANNOUNCES NEW DATES FOR THE 2022 CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT: The CAA announced a change to the dates of the 2022 CAA Women’s Basketball Championship presented by Primis. The four-day single-elimination tournament will be held Thursday, March 10 through Sunday, March 13 at the Daskalakis Athletic Center in Philadelphia, Pa. on the campus of Drexel University. 

DICKEY NAMED TO MID-MAJOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST: CAA Preseason Player of the Year, Jasmine Dickey was named to the Midseason Watch List for the 2022 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award by Her Hoop Stats. It marks the second consecutive season that a CAA student-athlete has made the Midseason Watch List.

STREAKING INTO DOUBLE-DIGITS: Drexel extended its winning streak to 11 games, following wins over Towson and Delaware to improve to 6-0 in CAA play. The Dragons lead the league with 14 wins, and their 10-game winning streak is the second-longest active streak in the nation.

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: CAA teams have proved hard to beat on their home court this season, posting a 50-22 record at home. In conference games, teams have defended their home court going 18-9 thus far. Two teams remain undefeated on their home court, while three squads have only one loss at home.

PROLIFIC SCORING: Delaware's Jasmine Dickey is third in NCAA women's basketball, averaging 24.8 points per game, while a pair of teams rank inside the top 25 in scoring offense. As a team, Charleston ranks 14th in the nation averaging 78.0 points per game, and Towson ranks 25th, scoring 75.6 points per game.

STONE COLD THIEVERY: Two CAA players are top 10 nationally in steals per game. Claudia Soriano of Northeastern ranks sixth in the NCAA with 3.53 steals per game and is 10th with 53 total steals. Charleston's Jenna Annecchiarico is ninth in steals per game (3.12) and also 10th in total steals (53). 

DROPPING DIMES: Three CAA student-athletes rank top 20 nationally in assists per game this season. Charleston's Jenna Annecchiarico ranks seventh in the NCAA in assists per game (6.7) and 12th in total assists (107), and Aleah Nelson of Towson is 17th in assists per game (5.8) and 19th in total assists (99). Elon's Brie Perpignan is 20th nationally in assists per game (5.7) and 39th in total assists (86).

CLEANING THE GLASS: Three CAA teams are top 30 in the NCAA in rebounds per game, while a pair of athletes crack the top 50. Towson ranks ninth nationally in rebounding (44.6 rpg), while Delaware is 10th (44.2 rpg) and James Madison is 26th (42.7 rpg). Delaware's Ty Battle ranks 21th in the NCAA with 10.9 rebounds per game, while JMU's Jaylin Carodine is 29th with 10.5 rebounds per game. Battle secured a career-high 22 rebounds against Charleston on Jan. 9, which is the second-highest single-game total in the NCAA this season. 

BLOCK PARTY: Charleston's Arynn Eady recorded seven blocks against UNCG, marking the most in a single game by a CAA player this season. She ranks 25th in the NCAA, with 37 total blocks and 26th with 2.18 blocks per game. As a team, Towson leads the CAA with 4.8 blocks per game, which ranks 33rd nationally. The Tigers have recorded five or more blocks in 10 games this year, and sit 32nd in the NCAA with 82 blocks.  

TAKING CARE OF THE BALL: Drexel posts the fifth-best assist to turnover ratio (1.47) in the nation. The Dragons turn the ball over at the third-lowest rate nationally, averaging just 11.1 turnovers per game, and have the eighth fewest turnovers (177) in the NCAA this year.  

FORCE MY HAND: Charleston causes havoc on defense, ranking eighth nationally in steals per game (12.9) and 15th in turnovers forced (22.12). Subsequently, the Cougars are fifth in the NCAA, maintaining a +8.53 turnover margin.  

LOCKDOWN DEFENSE: Drexel leads the league in scoring defense and ranks second in field goal percentage defense (35.9%). The Dragons are 19th in the NCAA, allowing 54.8 ppg. Towson leads the conference in field goal percentage defense, ranking 17th nationally, holding opponents to 35.0% shooting from the floor. 

NOTHING BUT NET: In the latest edition of the NCAA NET rankings, four CAA teams remain in the top 150, with two inside the top 100. Towson ranked 81st to lead all CAA teams, while Drexel cracked the top 100 at 96th. Delaware and Elon rounded out the top four at 116th and 148th, respectively.  

CAA IN THE COLLEGE INSIDER MID-MAJOR TOP 25: Three CAA teams: Drexel, James Madison, and Towson received recognition in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll. Drexel jumped four spots to No. 15, while Towson followed at No. 19. James Madison received votes for the 11th straight week.  

NON-CONFERENCE, NO PROBLEM: It was an impressive statement throughout the non-conference slate as CAA teams have combined for a 60-42 record. Six teams posted at least six wins in non-conference play, with Towson earning a league-high nine victories.     

FRESHMEN PHENOMS: Two freshmen have shined bright in their first collegiate seasons as Charleston's Grace Abercrombie and Claudia Soriano of Northeastern have combined to take home CAA Rookie of the Week honors on all seven occasions this season. Soriano leads all freshman, taking home the honors four weeks this season, while Abercrombie has earned the accolades three times.  

DREXEL DUO CRACKS 1,000 POINT BARRIER: Keishana Washington joined her teammate, Hannah Nihill, in the Drexel women's basketball 1,000 point club following 25 points against Yale on Dec. 14. Nihill eclipsed the milestone on Nov. 20 this season and has climbed to 17th all-time on Drexel's scoring list with 1,158 points. Washington currently ranks 18th in program history with 1,138 career points.   

DICKEY CLIMBS DELAWARE CAREER RANKS: Senior Jasmine Dickey eclipsed 1,500 career points in the Blue Hens' win over JMU on Jan. 19. Dickey currently ranks eighth in Delaware program history with 1,539 points. She also ranks top 10 in Blue Hens' history in double-doubles (5th/35) and steals (9th/177) while sitting 11th in rebounds (841).   

CAA REVISES POLICY FOR GAMES IMPACTED BY COVID-19: Any contest that cannot be played will initially be counted as a postponement with the intention to be rescheduled. If unable to reschedule, it would count as a forfeit for the purpose of conference standings, resulting in a loss for the team that caused the cancelation and a win for the opposing team. If both teams were unable to play it will count as a tie in the conference standings. Canceled games will not have an impact on a team’s overall NCAA record.

TEAM NOTES:

Charleston

• Charleston split a pair of conference games, defeating Towson 88-72 before a 64-55 setback to James Madison. 

• Jenna Annecchiarico led the Cougars averaging 23.0 points, 6.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. She scored a career-high 36 points in the victory over Towson. 

• The 36 points are the most scored by a player in Charleston's DI program history.  

• Arynn Eady averaged a double-double with 10.0 points and 14.5 rebounds per game. She had a season-high 17 rebounds with 16 points against Towson.

• Eady has secured 10+ rebounds in five of the last six games. She ranks fourth in the league, grabbing 9.1 rpg this season. 

• Latrice Perkins posted 13.5 ppg and 5.0 rpg, including a season-high 18 points in the victory over Towson. 

• Madison Taylor tallied a season-high 14 points to pace Charleston in scoring versus JMU. 

• Charleston leads the CAA in scoring offense (78.0 ppg), steals per game (12.9), and turnover margin (+8.53).  

Delaware

• Delaware defeated James Madison 64-57 before a 70-62 setback against Drexel. 

• Jasmine Dickey led Delaware with 22.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg and 3.0 bpg. She had a double-double with 26 points and 14 rebounds, adding a career-high five blocks, in the win. 

• Dickey surpassed 1,500 career points against JMU, becoming the eighth Blue Hen in program history to complete the feat.  

• Dickey leads the CAA and is third in the NCAA, scoring 24.4 points per game. 

• Ty Battle recorded back-to-back double-doubles, averaging 15.0 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. 

• Battle leads the league with 10 double-doubles and paces the conference with 10.9 rebounds per game. 

• Tyi Skinner added 13.5 ppg, including 17 in the setback to Drexel. She has reached double figures in 10 of her last 11 games and 13 times this winter. 

• The Blue Hens lead the CAA in offensive rebounding (16.4 rpg) and rank second overall in rebounding (44.2 rpg). 

Drexel

• Drexel extended its winning streak to 11 games following victories over Towson (58-54) and Delaware (70-62). 

• Keishana Washington led Drexel, averaging 19.0 ppg, scoring a team-high 17 against Towson followed by 21 versus Delaware.  

• Washington has reached double figures in all 16 games this season and ranks third in the conference, averaging 17.7 points per game. 

• Hannah Nihill contributed 16.0 points 6.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game throughout the week. She recorded a game-high 22 points with a career-best nine assists in the win over Delaware.  

• Mariah Leonard posted her second double-double of the season, with 13 points and 12 rebounds against Towson. 

• Tess Brugler added 13.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. 

• Brugler is second in the CAA in double-doubles (8). Previously, Drexel had three double-doubles in the past two years. 

• The Dragons lead the CAA in scoring defense (54.8 ppg), assists per game (16.3), and assist/turnover ratio (1.47). 

• At 14-2, Drexel is off to the best start in program history (Previous 10-2, 2016-17).  

Elon

• Elon split a pair of road contests, falling to Northeastern (68-52) before defeating Hofstra (62-58). 

• Brie Perpignan paced the Phoenix with 20.5 points, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game over the weekend. 

• Perpignan has scored in double figures eight straight games following 19 points against Northeastern and 22 at Hofstra. 

• Kayla Liles tied a career-high with 23 points and led Elon with seven rebounds and five steals in the victory over Hofstra.  

• Liles has recorded two or more steals in four straight games and 11 times this season. She ranks third in the CAA in steals per game (2.7). 

• Ajia James contributed 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench at Northeastern, marking her second double-figure scoring output of the year. 

• Against Northeastern, Maya Johnson grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, surpassing her previous season-best.   

Hofstra

•  Hofstra dropped a pair of CAA contests, falling to William & Mary (56-48) and Elon (62-58). 

•  The Pride returned to its home court for the first time since Dec. 11. 

•  Jaylen Hines averaged 14.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game. On Sunday, she scored a team-high 19 points after leading Hofstra with 11 rebounds and a career-high five steals on Friday.

•  The 19 points also marked a season-high for Hines, who has reached double figures scoring in eight contests this season. 

•  Jahsyni Knight had her best week of the season, contributing 11.0 points per game with 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals per contest. She dropped a season-high 14 points to lead the Pride against William & Mary. 

•  On Friday, Caria Reynolds chipped in seven points and five rebounds off the bench. She shot 3-of-4 from the field and added one steal and one assist in 10 minutes of action.  

•  Against Elon, Maniya Custis tallied season-highs with eight points and four assists.  

James Madison

• James Madison play three games in six days, defeating UNCW (57-56) and Charleston (64-55) after a setback against Delaware (64-47).

• For the week, Kiki Jefferson averaged 20.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. She tallied a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds against Delaware.  

• Jefferson ranks second in the conference scoring 18.4 points per game. She has eclipsed double figures in 15 games this season. 

• Jaylin Carodine led JMU in rebounding all three games, averaging 13.0 per contest over the week. Carodine had a career day with 17 points and 16 rebounds against Charleston, both personal bests. 

• Against UNCW, Annalicia Goodman added 12 points, including the game-winning layup, and tallied a career-high 12 rebounds in the win over Charleston. 

• Against UNCW, JMU dished out a season-high 17 assists and tied its season-best three-point field goal percentage, shooting 41.2% (7-12). 

• On Sunday, the Dukes had their best game of the season at the charity stripe, shooting 17-of-18 (94.4%). 

UNCW

• UNCW suffered back-to-back losses falling to James Madison (57-56) and Towson (72-49).

• Micah Hoggatt recorded her second career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds against JMU. She followed it up with 16 points on Sunday,  

• Hoggatt has scored in double figures in four of her last five games.

• Sierra DaCosta scored 13 points in each contest. She has reached double figures in 12 games this season, including four straight.  

• In her first career start on Friday, Rinnah Green contributed nine points, a career-best five assists and three rebounds in a career-high 35 minutes.  

• Against JMU, Evan Miller added eight points with three rebounds and was 3-for-4 from the field, including 2-for-2 from three. 

• Carrie Gross averaged 9.0 points per game, including 11 points against Towson. It marks her ninth double-digit scoring effort this year. 

• UNCW leads the CAA in team three-point field goal percentage (33.3%) and free throw percentage (76.8%).  

Northeastern

• Northeastern completed a CAA weekend sweep, defeating Elon (68-52) and William & Mary (67-57). 

• Kendall Currence paced Northeastern with 19.0 ppg on 60.7% shooting (17-28). She recorded game-highs in both contests with 20 and 18 points, respectively. 

• Currence has reached double figures in 14 games this season, including 10 of 11.  

• Claudia Soriano chipped in 10.0 points, 5.0 assists and 4.5 steals per game. On Sunday, she tallied a season-high eight assists. 

• Soriano has recorded multiple steals in 13 games this season and has four or more on nine occasions. She leads the conference in steals per game (3.53). 

• Emily Calabrese added 15 points and eight rebounds against William & Mary. 

• Gemima Montema contributed 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal versus Elon. 

• Northeastern leads the CAA in team field goal percentage, shooting 43.0% from the floor.  

Towson

• Towson finished the week 1-2 with losses to Drexel (58-54) and Charleston (88-72) before a win over UNCW (72-49).

• Ryann Evans recorded her first career double-double in the Tigers' victory, with 14 points and 11 rebounds. 

• Kylie Kornegay-Lucas set a season-high for points (17) against Charleston and season-highs for rebounds (9) and assists (8) at UNCW.  

• Aleah Nelson averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. She scored in double figures in all three games. 

• Allie Kubek contributed 14.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per contest. She had a team-high 21 points against UNCW after career-highs in blocks (4) and assists (4) at Charleston. 

• Nelson and Kubek are tied for fourth in the CAA at 16.1 ppg. Towson is the only team in the conference with two scorers in the top five.

• Tarriyona Gary paced Towson against Drexel with 14 points, adding seven rebounds. She set a career-high going 4-for-5 from three.

William & Mary

• William & Mary completed the weekend 1-1, picking up its first CAA win, defeating Hofstra 56-48. The Tribe dropped its following contest at Northeastern 67-57. 

• Riley Casey led the charge, averaging 17.5 points, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game. She tallied 20 points, five assists and three steals in the victory on Friday. 

• Casey reached double figures in four straight games and seven contests this season.  

• Sydney Wagner contributed 11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. She recorded 12 points with a career-high eight rebounds, four steals and four assists in the Tribe's victory. 

• Wagner leads William & Mary with 12 double-figure scoring performances this season, and she has recorded eight such efforts in her previous nine games. 

• Bre Bellamy added 10.5 ppg and 5.0 rpg. She scored in double figures back-to-back games with 10 and 11, respectively. 

• William & Mary ranks second in team three-point field goal percentage (31.9%) and third in team free throw percentage (73.0%).