Brit in College - Exhibition Games Round Up - Hoopsfix.com

Brit in College – Exhibition Games Round Up

The 2013-14 NCAA Women’s basketball season has tipped off, with a number of Brits performing well in their first outings.

Never have we had so many British girls playing in the US College system (view the list here and feel free to drop us a line at [email protected] if there is someone you know plying their trade in the US that has been missed out).

The appeal is certainly understandable. Players get their education fully or partially funded, enjoy a different lifestyle and culture, and have the opportunity to pursue their favourite sport within the confines of a purpose built environment.

But what does this do for British basketball? Does having these ambassadors help our local game here in the UK? After completion of their studies and subsequent return to the domestic game, do they help drive the standard up? Through playing? Coaching? Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts.

It’s interesting to note that all the women that represented Britain in the recently completed Eurobasket Women 2013 tournament attended and played for a US college be it Division 1 or 2.

So without further ado, here’s our first look at last week’s action which saw a number of teams engage in exhibition games. There were also a number of scrimmages played but as per NCAA scrimmage rules we are unfortunately not allowed to report on those.

NCAA Division 1

Freshman, and Great Britain Under-20 Melita Emanuel-Carr had an impressive debut and performance of the week for Brits in College, looking confident in her UIC Flames debut as a starter, hitting 4-of-6 shots from the field and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe for 13 points, whilst dishing out three assists and collecting four steals in 34 minutes of action (box score).

The Flames cruised past Div III foes Elmhurst College 94-63.

Melita’s former partner in crime at Barking Abbey and with GB, Shequila Joseph (pictured, top right), also had an impressive debut despite struggling with her outside shot. In the Ole Miss Rebels’ 74-59 exhibition win over Christian Brothers University, Joseph had 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks in 28 minutes as a starter (box score).

New Head Coach Matt Insell, spoke about Shequila’s debut after the game.

“Offensively, I really like where we are. Those kids with the double figures, I expect big things out of them this year. Tia Faleru and Shequila Joseph were good today. Shequila was nervous,” he said.

“She called me late last night to let me know she had jitters and I told her that’s normal. For her first game it is a pretty good day. She went 0-of-6 from beyond the arc, and I would doubt that she ever does that again. She is an incredible three-point shooter and I think that was her nerves and jitters, but she will get better.

Remaining as one of the UK’s brightest young prospects, count on her seeing a lot of court time this season.

Another freshman, Janica Monakana, was also impressive. The former Haringey Angel had 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals in 24 minutes of Toledo’s win over Div II Ashland(box score)

In their one and only exhibition game, a 119 – 66 blowout win for Old Dominion over Div II opponents Davies & Elkins, Senior Becca Allison put up 9 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in 15 minutes of action on 3/6 shooting (box score).

Chantel Charles’ Maine Black Bears got an 88-38 win over New Brunswick in the team’s opening exhibition contest at Memorial Gym on Saturday evening. Charles went scoreless in her 7 minutes, pulling down two rebounds (box score).

Houston Baptist had a comfortable 93-56 win over Div III opponents University of Texas in Tyler. Starter Erin McGarrachan had 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in 16 minutes whilst Maisie Elston had 6 points on 2 of 3 shooting from beyond the arc with 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 15 minutes of her own off the bench (box score).

Cristal-Turner-Utah-StateSenior forward Cristal Turner (pictured, left) had a solid game in Utah State’s 81-65 exhibition win over Northwest Nazarene, finishing with 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots on 4/7 shooting in just 16 minutes of action (box score).

Sophomore Ashleigh Munns of the Southern Utah Thunderbirds has had two exhibitions. First Southern Utah got past visiting Dixie State 90-69, and then in a 92-49 victory over Western State Colorado, Munns had had 5 points in 22 minutes of action.

Timeyin Oritsesan of Florida International did not trouble the score board in 7 mins of court time against Div II foe Barry, but did grab three rebounds (box score).

NCAA Division 2

Rosie Hynes had a very productive 21 minutes of action against Warner University registering 13 points and 4 assists.

Whitney Allen of Edinboro had 4 rebounds in their loss to Div 1 St Bonaventure.

Claire Paxton of Colorado Christian registered 2 points in 18 minutes in her team’s loss to Div I Northern Colarado.

Michelle Turner of Fort Lewis failed to get on the scoreboard in her team’s loss to Div I Arizona Wildcats.

Anyone we’re missing? Thoughts?

Image Credit: Ole Miss Athletics/Utah State Athletics

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