STANARDSVILLE — Given the disparity in size between the two teams, there was little doubt that Charlottesville was going to look inside for its points. But behind a strong two-three zone defense, William Monroe was able to limit the Black Knights’ presence in the post, and thanks to some clutch offense off of the bench, the Greene Dragons were able to pull away in the fourth quarter for a 41-35 victory.
“We talked about this before the game and we really thought (Charlottesville) was going to force the ball inside,” said William Monroe coach Phillip Lamb. “So we worked on that defensively, we prepared for it, and I really thought Alexa Smith stepped for us in the post.”
Both teams struggled to shoot and maintain possession in the first half, but Smith’s play in the post helped Monroe jump out to a seven point lead in the third quarter. Until Alex Cave hit a handful of free throws in the last minute of the game to finish with 12 points, Smith was the top scorer for the Dragons, coming off of the bench to score nine points. Her success in the paint forced Charlottesville to keep a watchful eye, and slowly but surely, Monroe’s regular scorers – Alex Cave and Kaitlyn Roach in particular – started to capitalize on open looks.
Cave saw constant pressure all game, but showed her ability as a passer in the second half, working the ball down court to break the Charlottesville press and find open shooters for easy baskets.
“After the first half we knew we had to come together better as a team because we obviously weren’t playing very well,” Cave said. “I think we came out in the second half a little more mentally prepared.”
Monroe extended their lead in the beginning of the fourth quarter, going up by as many as 13 points before the Black Knights closed the gap to seven points in the final minute of the game.
Charlottesville tried to foul back into the contest, but both Cave and Cally Troutman were able to keep their team out in front at the free throw line to wrap up the win.
London Todd had a solid performance in the paint for the Black Knights with 10 points and nine rebounds. Olivia Levine and Ashley Nowell each finished with eight points.
The biggest problem for Charlottesville throughout the night was its shooting. Todd hit the Black Knights’ only 3-point attempt, and although Charlottesville had little trouble drawing fouls and earning a slew of free throws in both halves, it was of little consequence.
“We wound up hitting eight of 25 free throws and blowing 19 layups,” said Black Knights coach Deanna Mitchelson. “Anytime any team has a night like that it’s going to be real tough to pull out a win.”
Charlottesville (7-9, 4-6 Jefferson) will head to Fluvanna County on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
William Monroe (9-10, 5-6) heads to Louisa County on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
