NOVA's Kimberly Walton goes high for a jumper versus Hagerstown Hawks. / Photo by: Arch Scurlock

The NOVA women’s basketball team ended its regular season on February 24 and 26 with two losses, first to the Hagerstown Community College Hawks 73-48 at the Annandale campus and then to Thomas Nelson Community College in a close one, 62-61, at Hoop Magic in Chantilly, Virginia.

In the game against the strong Hagerstown team, NOVA never led though it tied the scored a few times early on. At the ten minute mark of the first half, NOVA was down by six at 23-17, and by the seven minute to go mark, Hagerstown had opened its lead to 33-19. At halftime, NOVA trailed 42-29, and it was led by Kimberly Walton’s ten points.

In the second half, NOVA had difficulty scoring as Hagerstown opened up a 56-33 lead with eleven minutes to go. From there, Hagerstown coasted to its 73-48 win.

Coach Wayne Vincent after the game commented, “The girls came out and played not a bad first half-eight turnovers. Our play at the free throw line killed us (3 for 13 overall.)

In the second half we couldn’t get it started.  They came out shooting the ball well and we couldn’t stop them.”

High for NOVA was Walton with 12, followed by April Neal with 10. Hagerstown increased its record to 22-6 for the year.

In the game against the VCCS rival Thomas Nelson Lady Gators, Thomas Nelson only suited up six players, but it turned out to be enough.

NOVA started out slowly, down 9-0 early, but then resolutely cut into the Nelson lead until the score was tied at 15 all with just under ten minutes to go. Nelson then made a three pointer and it kept the lead for the rest of the half, up 25-21 at halftime. Kimberly Walton again led NOVA with seven points in the half.

In the second half, Nelson increased its lead to 11 at 38-27 with five minutes gone. Thereafter the half was a series of surges.

NOVA came back to within three at 40-37 with 10 ½ minutes left as Walton threw in six points and Nelson called a timeout

Nelson then quickly took the lead back to seven at 44-37. Now NOVA surged and finally took the lead at 47-46 with seven minutes to go, and then proceeded to extend the lead to eight at 54-46 with five minutes to go on seven straight points.

Now it was Nelson’s turn to come back, as it got within one at 56-55 with 2:21 to go, and finally tied it at 59 all with 56 seconds remaining. Elizabeth Ramirez was fouled on a layup attempt at 45.3 seconds, and made both foul shots for a 61-59 NOVA lead.

NOVA's Kimberly Walton goes high for a jumper versus Hagerstown Hawks. / Photo by: Arch Scurlock

Nelson tied it again with another two pointer at 61 all. On NOVA’s possession, they were tied up and the possession arrow gave the ball to Nelson with 12.7 seconds left.

Nelson brought the ball up the court, but NOVA double teamed Nelson far from the basket near the center court line. NOVA gambled on a steal, but Ramirez was called for a foul with 4.4 seconds to go. Nelson made one of two free throws and NOVA was not able to get off a good shot in the few seconds remaining as Nelson eked out the 62-61 win.

Coach Wayne Vincent had this to say about the game, “I thought we had a strong half. We struggled the first half. Free throws were a difference. The first half we shot one free throw (1 for 6.) The second half we shot 100 per cent (8 for 9.) Those turnovers-they killed us. I think we had more turnovers in the second half than offensive rebounds. It’s something we have to work on this whole week in preparation for the state tournament next week.”

High scorer for NOVA was Walton with 26 points, scoring 19 of  NOVA’s 40 points in the second half. Ramirez added 10.

With the loss, NOVA ended the regular season at 5-3 in the VCCS and 8-16 overall.

Next for NOVA was the season-ending VCCS tournament in Chesapeake on March 5-6 in which they will go in as the number two seed.

By: Arch Scurlock

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