Sports
RedStorm Seek To Keep Perfect Road Record
By: McKennah Robinson
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The holidays are fast approaching, but the women's basketball team from Rio Grande is hitting the road one last time on Saturday before they transition into the holiday spirit. On Saturday, the RedStorm will look to once again defeat and complete the series sweep of the Alderson-Broaddus University Battlers.
The RedStorm are headed into this game with a few setbacks in the form of injuries and illnesses.
"We're going to go and give it a good effort, then take a deserved few days’ break for the holidays," Rio Grande head coach David Smalley said.
Coming off a hard-fought 91-72 win against Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Monday put the RedStorm in a perfect 3-0 standing on the road, and a near perfect 10-2 standing overall. This was a huge accomplishment for the RedStorm, as they had not achieved this outstanding of a 12-game start since the 2007-08 campaign.
Leading the RedStorm into their next battle is yet again junior guard Brianna Thomas. In the win over Mount Vernon Nazarene, Thomas chipped in 18 points, eight assists and four steals. Thomas is also leading Rio Grande with 19.25 points and 5.75 assists per game.
Alongside Thomas, freshman Brooke Marcum is also leading the RedStorm in another category with 9.25 rebounds per game.
While the RedStorm have been in nonstop action, Alderson-Broaddus has been in a no-game standstill – its last game being against the RedStorm on Dec. 9. The Battlers’ last game against the RedStorm resulted in an 81-73 defeat in Rio's own Newt Oliver Arena. This loss also put Alderson-Broaddus into an 0-8 record.
The Battlers’ Rachel Ashley leads the ball club with 9.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest. Ashley is aided by teammate Natalie Smith, who contributes slightly less than three assists per game.
"We are a little apprehensive about the game, because the last time we saw them it was a very tight game," Smalley said. "Alderson-Broaddus is a good ball club in the NCAA [Division II], giving them higher competition to play against. We know they will be hungry to attain their first win."
The matchup between the Battlers and the RedStorm will take place in Phillipi, W.Va., at Rex Pyles Arena. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.