The Tribune

THE frontcourt trio of junior Caira Washington, Grand Bahamian senior Jonquel Jones and sophomore Kelli Prange combined for 53 points to lead the No. 22/20 George Washington women’s basketball team to a 78-48 win over District rival American at the Charles E Smith Center on Tuesday evening.

Washington, who had 23 points in GW’s season-opening win over Grambling State on Saturday, continued her torrid start with a game-high 21 points on 10-of-12 shooting while adding 11 rebounds for her 19th career double-double. Prange finished with 18 points and six rebounds, and Jones added 14 points and seven boards.

GW (2-0) raced out to a 24-8 advantage after the opening quarter and never looked back. With the game tied at 4-4 after 1:20 of action, the Colonials surged ahead with a 20-2 run, holding American (0-2) without a field goal for nearly six minutes. Washington connected on all six of her field goal attempts in the first period and had 12 points after 10 minutes of play.

The Colonials carried a 34-18 lead into halftime before outscoring the Eagles 26-10 in the third quarter with 11 straight points to end the period, building a commanding 60-28 advantage after 30 minutes. American cut its deficit to 20 points (67-47) with 4:01 remaining after a 16-5 run, but GW closed the game out with an 11-1 spurt that included five points from freshman Mel-Lyn Bautista, who was making her collegiate debut, and four from senior DaLacy Anderson, for the 78-48 victory.

GW shot 50.9 per cent (29-of-57) from the floor while holding American to 34.5 per cent (19-of-55) on the night. The Colonials outrebounded the Eagles 45-25.

Michelle Holmes led American with 17 points and five rebounds.

The Colonials return to action 3pm ET Saturday when they visit No. 15/10 Stanford at Maples Pavilion.