Women’s Basketball Back In ECAC Tournament
By Ryan Gaydos
After winning five games all of last season, head coach Mandy King brought in some speedy talent to mix in with the upperclassmen and it has turned out to be a great formula for success. The 15-12 Kean Women’s Basketball team is back in the postseason after a one year ban. Kean was awarded the No. 1 seed Monday in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Metro Division tournament.
Not only are the Cougars back in the tournament but they get a home playoff game as well. Kean will play host to Lehman College Wednesday night at 7 P.M. at Harwood Arena.
The quick turnaround was something nobody expected to happen after the NCAA came down hard on Kean after a grade-changing scandal that left one of the program’s most decorated coaches in Michelle Sharp without a job and King thrown in there to pick up the pieces.
King’s system has worked to the Cougars’ advantage as her speedy players get on the prowl quickly each game without turning down the tempo. Having senior Simone Smith back in the lineup helps as well. Smith averages 15.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. AnnaRose Pierre continued right where she left off last season averaging 10.8 points.
Kean is 11-3 at home this season and are coming off a New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament loss to rival Montclair State.
Lehman College will be a tough matchup. The Lightning are 16-10 this season and 8-4 on the road. Lehman lost to Hunter College in the CUNYAC tournament prior to its game Wednesday at Kean.
With how well the Cougars performed this season, Kean’s quickness and prowess down low should put it over Lehman Wednesday night.
Be sure to watch this game on Kean.Sidearmsports.com/Showcase