William and Mary women’s basketball (1-0) opened its regular season with a 89-48 win against Division II opponent Chowan (0-1) Monday, Nov. 2 at Kaplan Arena in Williamsburg, Va.
The Tribe’s defense dominated Monday afternoon, holding the visitors to just 27.6% shooting from the field and 23.5% from the three-point line. William and Mary also suffocated Chowan in the paint, with the Hawks converting only four of 21 layups.
On offense, senior starting guards Cassidy Geddes and Monet Dance recorded 18 and 17 points, respectively. Freshman guard Denver Carlton started in her collegiate debut, posting 11 points and five rebounds.
The Tribe turned the ball over just 13 times while dishing out 18 assists.
Despite the eventual 41-point blowout, William and Mary got off to a slow start and trailed 20-19 after the first quarter. Chowan converted nearly half its attempts in the opening frame, while the Tribe shot just 33% from the floor and missed eight free throws.
Needing a spark to turn the game around, William and Mary turned to Carlton. The freshman scored eight points in the second quarter, sending the Tribe into halftime with a 40-30 lead.
The Tribe blew the game open in the third quarter, outscoring Chowan 25-8. Dance took over, scoring 10 points in a five-minute stretch. Alongside the Tribe’s efficient offense, its defense suffocated the visitors. Chowan shot just two of 13 in the third period and turned the ball over five times.
The Tribe turned to its bench in the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard Jordyn Steindl made her debut after missing her entire freshman season due to injury. She scored six points in the final period.
Although the Tribe controlled most of the night, William and Mary converted just 12 of its 22 free throws.
William and Mary returns to action Thursday, Nov. 5 against Tennessee State (1-0) at Kaplan Arena in Williamsburg, Va.
