Shanae Baker-Brice doesn?t just see the comparisons to the Denver Nugget?s Allen Iverson ? she embraces them. The 5-foot-6 guard on the Towson women?s basketball team is known for her competitiveness and willingness to make her teammates better, just like Iverson does in the NBA.
But this season, the sophomore who averaged 13.7 points per game last year is resembling another trait of the player known as “The Answer:” playing through pain.
“I like everything about Iverson on the court. I like his hustle, he can penetrate and score. I like his heart, how little he is, but how big he plays,” Baker-Brice, who was cleared to practice last week because of a groin injury, said. “I?m real excited to get back. My first practice was a little sore but I keep it going.”
Baker-Brice, who wears No. 3 just like her favorite player, will be counted on to keep it going all season for the Tigers, who are looking to build off of a 17-12 season and a seventh place, 8-10 finish in the Colonial Athletic Association. Her 3.1 assists per game were second on the team to junior guard Alis Freeman?s 3.8, as Baker-Brice?s ability to create shots for her teammates will be integral in an up-tempo offense.
“When you sit and watch her you notice the speed and athleticism and quickness and that?s what the fans notice,” Towson coach Joe Mathews said. “As a coach, I notice the other things, like how bad she wants to win and how she wants the ball in her hand at crunch time.”
Baker-Brice believes her team is well on its way toearning its first postseason berth since 1980.
“We are family,” she said. “We all bond and hang out on and off the court as much as possible.”
Tigers at a glance
» Coach: Joe Mathews (Seventh Season, 56-115)
» Last Year: 17-12 overall, 8-10 CAA, lost to UNC Wilmington, 55-41, in first round of the conference tournament.
» Returning players: G Jamell Beasley, 5-9, 8.8 ppg., 3.4 rpg., 1.7 apg.; G Holly Mahan, 5-9, 10.1 ppg., 7.4 rpg., 1.6 apg.; G Brandy Black, 5-8, 1.2 ppg., 0.4 rpg., 0.1 apg.; G Alis Freeman, 5-9, 5.1 ppg., 3.1 rpg., 3.8 apg.; G Alexis Abraham, 5-8, 2.3 ppg., 0.9 rpg., 0.3 apg.; G Shanae Backer-Brice, 5-6, 13.7 ppg., 4.7 rpg., 3.1 apg.; F Kandace Davis, 6-1, 5.0 ppg., 5.1 rpg., 1.5 apg.; F Ashlee Keown, 6-1, 2.2 ppg., 1.6 rpg., 0.5 apg.; G Haliena Snowden, 5-10, 1.4 ppg., 0.8 rpg., 0.2 apg.
» Top Newcomer: F Doville Miliauskaite, 6-2. The freshman was a first-team All-State selection during her senior year at Holy Cross Regional High School in Virginia, where she averaged 16 points last season.
» Big Game: Nov. 29: vs. Georgetown. The Tigers took down the Hoyas in The District, 65-57, to open the season last year. But this year, Towson hosts Georgetown in its only home game in November, and is the team?s only game at the Towson Center in its first seven.
» Key to the Season: Replacing Kelly Robinson. Robinson started more games in program history (115) than any other player, and was second on the team last year in points (10.2) and third in rebounds (4.7) per game.
» Tickets: $5. For information, call 410-704-2244.
» Key Number: .249. The team shooting percentage from beyond the three-point arc last season. If Towson wants to challenge for a postseason berth, it must effectively score from the perimeter. ? Dave Carey
