WB2K22: WNIT Review

Two Ohio schools faced off in the first round of the WNIT, March 16. Kent State travelled to Youngstown State and used an 18-10 third quarter to overcome a 33-30 halftime deficit. The Golden Flashes won 68-59 as senior forward Lindsey Thall led Kent with 15 points to go along with five rebounds, two blocks and one steal. She shot a perfect 4-4 from the free-throw line, while also shooting 5-9 overall from the field.

Host Columbia stopped Holy Cross on March 16 to a score of 80-69. Abbey Hsu poured in 24 points draining five of nine three-point attempts for the winners. She also dished out seven assists with just one turnovers, while grabbing six rebounds.

Purdue shot 57 percent while limiting Southern Illinois to 35 percent shooting during its 82-60 opening round WNIT home win. The Boilermakers got a 27-point effort from guard Brooke Moore. She shot 10-15 including 4-8 from three along making all three of her free-throw attempts. This was Moore's top scoring performance of the week and was her first double-digit scoring performance in her last five games.

Other teams that advanced in the first round of the WNIT on March 16, are Marquette, Liberty and New Mexico. The first round continues today and tomorrow.

On day two of the first round of the WNIT, host Wake Forest toppled Akron 71-59, March 17. Guard Alyssa Andrews led the Demon Deacons to victory with 18 points as she nailed three of her four three-point attempts. The six-foot freshman who averages just 3.6 points per game scored over ten points for just the fourth time this season and the first time since Dec. 15 when she posted a season high 19 points against South Carolina State. Wake Forest is now 16-16 and headed to face Middle Tennessee in the second round on March 21.

Seton Hall overcame a 21-13 first quarter deficit to defeat visiting Fairleigh Dickinson 67-45. The Pirates outscored Fairleigh Dickinson 16-0 in the final quarter as junior guard Lauren Park-Lane lit the scoreboard up scoring 29 points while making 12 of 20 shots. Park-Lane has scored at least 21 points in three of that last four contests. Seton Hall awaits the winner of Stony Brook vs Virginia Commonwealth who play today.

Sophomore Dontavia Waggoner led Boston College with eight rebounds as the Eagles defeated visiting Maine 69-44 in the first round of the WNIT, March 17. The six-foot guard played over 20 minutes for the first time this season, as she logged in 23 minutes. She also scored five points and had one steals as Boston College improved to 19-11. The Eagles will face the winner of Quinnipiac vs Rhode Island who play today.

Other teams that advanced in the first round on day two are Air Force, Wyoming, Tulsa, Houston, Tennessee Tech, Tulane, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Drake, Northern Iowa Minnesota, South Dakota State, Drexel, San Diego and Oregon State.

Host Toledo outpaced Houston Baptist 61-51. Sammi Mikonowicz only scored three points but her 13 rebounds helped to vault the Rockets to victory. The 5-10 sophomore guard averages 7.4 rebounds along with 7.9 points per game. It was her seventh game with 10 or more rebounds this season. Her 22 rebounds on Jan. 26 against Ohio is her season's best. Toledo advances to play Mid American Conference rival Kent State at home on March 21st.

Iggy Allen posted 25 points a Old Dominion eliminated Towson from the WNIT. The senior guard lifted Old Dominion to a 24-9 record as she posted seven rebounds and four steals. Allen is averaging just 14.9 points this season after a scoring average of 22.2 last year. She is returning to form as of late, scoring over 20 points in four of her last six efforts. Old Dominion will host Columbia on March 20 in Norfolk, Virginia.

UCLA defeated UC Irvine 61-48, on March 18 in the first round of the WNIT. The Bruins held UC Irvine to 33 percent shooting on defense while Natalie Chou led the winners with 19 points. The 6-1 senior guard nailed six of her nine shot attempts including five of seven from three-point territory. This was her first time scoring double figures in four games as Chou averages 9.7 points per game. UCLA will host on Air Force on March 20th.

Other teams that won on the final day of the first round of the WNIT were Portland, Bucknell and Quinnipiac.