MOUNT ST. MARY'S at ANNE DONOVAN CLASSIC
vs. Hampton | Thursday, December 19 | 7:30 p.m.
vs. Richmond | Friday, December 20 | 7:30 p.m.
at Old Dominion | Saturday, December 21 | 2 p.m.
Norfolk, Va. | Chartway Arena
C-USA TV ($) | AUDIO (ODU GAME ONLY) | LIVE STATS | GAME NOTES
EMMITSBURG, Md. (Dec. 18, 2019) – For the first time since the 1988-89 season, the Mount St. Mary's women's basketball team will participate in a three game, three day tournament as they travel to Norfolk, Va. for the Anne Donovan Classic. Hosted by Old Dominion University, this is the inaugural tournament, named for the late Anne Donovan - ODU's all-time leading point scorer and rebounder and key figure on the Monarchs' 1980 national championship team.
The last three-in-three tournament for the Mountaineers was the Rohm and Haas Invitational in Philadelphia, Pa. from December 27-29, 1988. The Mount went 2-1, defeating Florida and Robert Morris while falling to Loyola Chicago.
THE MATCHUPS
Richmond and Hampton both have history with the Mount, but this will be the first meeting with Old Dominion. The Spiders and Mountaineers have eight prior engagements, with the Mount winning five of them. However, Richmond has won the last three meetings dating back to 1986.
As for the Pirates, they were a thorn in the side of three consecutive teams for the Mount in the 1980s. Hampton ended the Mountaineers' seasons during the NCAA Division II Tournaments of 1985, 1986 and 1987. Thursday's showdown will be the first between Mount St. Mary's and Hampton since.
Both Old Dominion and Hampton are highly successful programs. The Monarchs have three national championships (1979, 1980, 1985) and 25 appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The Pirates won the NCAA Division II title in 1988 and have made nine trips to the Division I Tournament since transitioning in the mid-1990's. Richmond - like the Mount - has been to the NCAA Tournament three times.
MOUNTAINEER REPORT
Mount St. Mary's is looking to rebound after a pair of losses in the final seconds over the past two weeks. The team lost to Lehigh 66-65 on a three-pointer with 0.1 seconds on the clock on December 8th, and to Maryland Eastern Shore 78-76 on a floater with 1.5 remaining on December 14th. The defeats slide Mount's record to 4-5 on the season, so they must go 2-1 or better in the tournament to ensure at least a .500 mark for the non-conference portion of the schedule.
Bridget Birkhead had a career day in the loss to the Hawks on December 14th, setting career highs in five categories - points (26), field goals (8), three-pointers (8), assists (5) and steals (4). The eight triples tie a school record for most in a game. Since rejoining the starting five on November 26th, the junior is averaging 11.75 points per contest and now stands fourth on the team with nine points a game this year.
Redshirt junior Kendall Bresee continues to lead the squad with 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists a game.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Hampton is on a four-game skid after defeating Alabama and Chattanooga to open the season. Coached by David Six - who is in his 11th year - the Pirates rely on three scorers who average double figures. Laren VanArsdale leads with 16.7 per, followed by MaKayla Timmons at 14.3 and Ashley Bates at 14.2. After competing in the MEAC for almost a quarter century, Hampton is now in its second year as a member of the Big South Conference, where they finished third in their initial campaign last year.
Richmond stands at 6-4 on the season and are enjoying a renaissance under first-year coach Aaron Rousell. Already two-thirds to their win total from a season ago, the Spiders are led by Jaide Hinds-Clarke, who is second on the team in scoring (11.2) and first in rebounding (5.9). Kate Klimkiewicz edges Hinds-Clarke with 11.4 points a game to lead the team.
Old Dominion registered 20 plus wins last season for the first time since 2014-15, and are off to a 7-2 start in 2019-20. Three members of the Monarchs are averaging double digits in scoring, with Victoria Morris leading the way at 11.2. Teammates Ajah Wayne and Amari Young are right behind Morris at 10.9 and 10.1, respectively, but both are prolific rebounders. Young leads the team with 7.3 boards per contest. The Monarchs are tutored by third-year coach and former Tennessee standout and WNBA alumnus Nikki McCray-Penson.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Anne Donovan Classic wraps up the non-conference part of the schedule and games for the calendar year. Northeast Conference play begins on January 2nd, when the Mount hosts Wagner.
