THE OPENING TIP
When the women's basketball team hits the court on Thursday evening, it will end an extended 301-day stretch without athletic competition for the Davis & Elkins athletic department. The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our way of life, but finally some sense of normalcy will return to the D&E campus as the Senators welcome Frostburg State to the McDonnell Center at 5:30 PM.
Starting its 46th season of women's basketball, Davis & Elkins was selected ninth in the MEC Preseason Coaches' Poll on January 5. The conference clash will mark the much-anticipated coaching debut for
Rachel Swartz, who joined the program back in late April.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
- Game One: Davis & Elkins vs. Frostburg State
- When: Thursday, January 7 (5:30 PM)
- Where: McDonnell Center – Elkins, W. Va. (No spectators permitted)
- Records: Davis & Elkins (0-0); Frostburg State (0-0)
- 2020-21 Quick Facts (PDF): Click Here
- Social Media Updates: @Senator_WBB on Twitter
- Live Video: Click Here
- Live Stats: Click Here
SERIES HISTORY
- All-Time Series: Series tied 2-2 (Full History)
- First Meeting: December 5, 1979 – Davis & Elkins 68, Frostburg State 58
- Last Meeting: February 26, 2020 – Frostburg State 71, Davis & Elkins 59 | Recap | Box Score | Game Highlights
- How It Happened: Davis & Elkins was limited to just 13 points in each of the final three quarters as Frostburg State pulled away for a 71-59 over the Senators. Sophomore guard Sydney Nestor dropped in a game-high 17 points for D&E, with 14 coming before halftime. Junior forward Jamiyah Johnson pushed her double-double streak to 22 consecutive games with 16 points and 15 rebounds and senior Jay Kilpatrick worked her way into double digits with 10 points.
DAVIS & ELKINS NOTES
- The Senators return four starters and boast plenty of experience for the 2021 season. Leading the charge for D&E is Jamiyah Johnson, who was second in offensive rebounds/game among all NCAA women's basketball divisions last season.
- Johnson averaged a double-double last season for D&E and collected 24 consecutive double-doubles to end her junior campaign, tying an NCAA record. She enters her senior season with 901 career points and 780 career rebounds.
- D&E was picked ninth in the MEC Preseason Poll, released January 5. The Senators slot just one spot ahead of Thursday's opponent, Frostburg State.
- Also returning for the Senators are starters Sydney Nestor, Peyton Mohler and Jessica Eadsforth-Yates. Nestor was the team's second leading scorer (10.5 PPG) and rebounder (6.5) last season, while Mohler (8.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG) and Eadsforth-Yates (8.1 PPG, 40 3-PT FG) each recorded at least 20 starts.
- Davis & Elkins should have another strong year on the glass, returning three of its top four rebounders. Thanks in large part to Johnson's stellar 15.4 rebounds/game, the Senators paced the MEC with a +7.8 rebounding margin last season.
- Junior guard/forward Courtney Roth returns for her third season at D&E with some starting experience. She has played in 28 games in each of the last two years.
- Sophomore guard Reagan Sharp provided a spark in the final game of last season, recording 13 points and three steals in 17 minutes against Wheeling in the MEC Tournament.
- Amiah Banks joins the program for her first season from Fredrick CC, averaging 17.9 PPG and 4.9 RPG in two seasons.
- The Senators are hopeful another year of experience will help with the team's ball control. D&E was 11th in turnover margin (-6.10) last season, only behind West Virginia Wesleyan (-6.30).
SCOUTING FROSTBURG STATE
- Frostburg ended the 2019-20 season with two straight wins, including a victory against D&E in its home finale on February 26, 2020.
- The Bobcats lost their top two scorers from last season, but welcome back forward Jada Holand (8.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 27.6 MPG in 2019-20), who was effective in just 11 games last season.
- Carrie Saunders enters her seventh season as the Bobcats head coach in 2020-21. Frostburg State transitioned from the NCAA DIII Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) to the MEC last season.
- Junior guard Morgan Dombroksi, a transfer from Clarion, started in 23 games last season for Frostburg. She collected double figures in nine outings last season, playing in all 28 contests.
- Frostburg State was a stout defensive team last season, ranking fourth in the MEC in scoring defense (74.9). The Bobcats were also fourth in the league in rebounding defense (38.3), something they will need to be strong on against the Senators.
