College Hoops Highlights: Senior Watch, Albany Region
With the WNBA Draft just three weeks away, we’re locked into the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament with eyes focused on seniors that are making the most of their last dance.
Here’s a deeper look at the Albany Region.
Connecticut
As the Connecticut Huskies pursue a third consecutive national title, watch out for senior forward Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, who has been all business in the opening rounds. This sharpshooter leads the nation in 3-point FG%, shooting a healthy 50% from behind the arc. Mosqueda-Lewis heated up against Rutgers on Monday, dropping five 3-pointers to finish with 23 points. She has now hit 386 threes for her career and is seven from setting the all-time NCAA record. Also, flying under the radar for the Huskies is fellow senior, Kiah Stokes. While her numbers won’t wow you, her interior presence is significant for the Huskies’ frontcourt. When called upon, Stokes provides a strong post presence, highlighted by her shot-blocking ability and dominant rebounding efforts.
Texas
When Karen Aston’s Longhorns meet the Huskies, they will be without senior forward Nneka Enemkpali, whose season was cut short by an ACL tear in January. While Enemkapli’s presence certainly would have made for an interesting dynamics in the match up, the Longhorns will rely on contributions from junior Imani McGee-Stafford who has carried the load in Enemkapli’s absence.
Louisville
Louisville’s Jude Schimmel, the sister of Atlanta’s Shoni Schimmel, simply will not be denied. She played much bigger than her slight 5-foot-6 frame on Monday night, channeling a bit of “Showtime” herself, and willing her team to victory over South Florida. Schimmel scored eight of her 13 points in the final three minutes – including six in the final 69 seconds. The Cards will need significant contributions from Schimmel and fellow senior Sara Hammond (who had an uncharacteristically quiet night on Monday) if they plan on getting past the red-hot Dayton Flyer team.
Dayton
After knocking off Kentucky in the biggest upset of the tournament thus far, the Dayton Flyers now have everyone’s undivided attention. Senior forward Ally Mallot couldn’t have chosen a better time for her coming-out party. With fellow senior guard Andrea Hoover stuck on the bench with foul trouble, Mallot took over the reigns and led the way, finishing with 28 points and 13 rebounds. Mallot put her full arsenal of offensive weaponry on display to help her team advance to their first ever Sweet Sixteen.

,xPosition=.5,yPosition=.5)
,xPosition=.5,yPosition=.5)