Saint Augustine's University heads to Virginia early this week for two consecutive non-conference women's basketball games.
The Lady Falcons visit fellow CIAA member Virginia Union University at Barco-Stevens Hall in Richmond, Va., on Monday, November 24 at 5:30 p.m. On Tuesday, November 25, the Lady Falcons travel to Buena Vista, Va., for a 4 p.m. contest against Southern Virginia University at Knight Sports Arena.
Both games are early tune-ups for the Lady Falcons as they prepare for conference play in January 2015. The Lady Falcons and Virginia Union will play again in a conference game scheduled for January 12, 2015, in Raleigh, N.C. Southern Virginia was added to the schedule after Virginia University of Lynchburg canceled two games against the Lady Falcons last week.
"I am anticipating a good showing for both games," SAU Head Coach Rachel Bullard said about her squad. "We have been focusing on defense in practice because we will face two different styles of play. Both teams are solid and we are excited to get on the road before Thanksgiving."
Virginia is the home state for six student-athletes - Shanika Harris, Raneka Dunaway, Ke-Ashe Lee, Porscha Walton, Briana Arrington and Khadijah Payne. The trio of Harris, Dunaway and Arrington are from Richmond, Va., and Walton is from nearby Chesterfield, Va.
"Richmond is home for several young ladies so we are anxious to play in front of friends and family," Bullard said.
The Lady Falcons (1-1 overall) have not played since the CIAA/MEC Challenge in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Nov. 15-16. They lost to Shepherd University 74-65 in the first game, but bounced back against Urbana University in the second game for a 66-46 victory. Forward Terri Jacobs (Jr./McDonough, GA) was named to the All-Tournament team after averaging 13.5 points and 11.5 points in two games. She had a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds against Urbana.
Jacobs leads the Lady Falcons in scoring and steals, and the CIAA in rebounding. Walton (Jr./Chesterfield, VA), a guard, averages 12 points while guards Dunaway (Sr./Richmond, VA) and Regime McCombs (Jr./Greenville, SC) both average around nine points.
Virginia Union (1-1 overall) is led by CIAA scoring leader Ashle Freeman, a guard who averages 27 points a game. Southern Virginia (1-3 overall) is sparked by centers Melynda Boren and Crystal Cleveland, who average 11.5 points and 10.5 points, respectively.
After both road games, the Lady Falcons return home at Emery Gymnasium for their season opener against Lander University on Sunday, November 30, at 2 p.m.
