Despite an up and down season that has confused and bewildered the team, the Mountaineer women have one more chance to redeem themselves when they tipoff at 2:15 against College of Charleston in the quarterfinals of the SoCon Tournament. Many teams and coaches would love to finish where the Mountaineers did when you consider their overall record at 19-9, but it has been a few years since the Mountaineers failed to claim their twentieth win in the regular season. The top half of the conference  basically owned the Mountaineers this year, as Chattanooga, Samford and Davidson swept them.

Charleston is a team that can beat you several different ways and have been a roll in the last couple weeks. The Cougars have won three straight since losing to Appalachian on February 20th, and have done so in somewhat convincing fashion. Charleston handled Wofford by nine points, Western Carolina by twelve points and Furman by twelve points. Prior to the loss to Appalachian, Charleston beat Samford by one at home and Davidson on the road by three points. If you look back further, Charleston has won eight of their last eleven games.

The key for Charleston has been a change in offensive philosophy the last few games. Against Appalachian, Charleston put up 23 three point attempts, and have only put up 22 threes in their last three games combined. The Cougars have driven to the basket more, and although they are not a good free throw shooting team, more attempts at the line in game action will improve those statistics.

This game is a dangerous one for the women, and basically they all are in the tournament. The road will not get easier for the Mountaineers and playing one game in Kimmel Arena will make things different for all teams involved. This could be the final game for several seniors, who have been instrumental in turning this program around in the last four seasons, and I expect an effort worthy of the fear of wearing that jersey for the final time.