Women's Basketball 3/1/2024 6:46:00 AM

AFTER RECORD-BREAKING REGULAR SEASON, OAKWOOD WOMEN WANT MORE

TUSCALOOSA – Oakwood University fielded its first women's basketball team in 1993.
Over the last 30 years, the Ambassadors had never finished with double digit victories.

Until now.

Ronnie Abrams, in his first season as head coach, has taken the Oakwood women's basketball program to heights it has never seen before. And while Abrams is happy that the Ambassadors have had their fair share of success this season, he wants more.

More is a win in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference 2024 Hope Credit Union Women's Basketball Championship.

That opportunity comes today when Oakwood, the No. 5 seed, takes on No. 4 seed Dillard at 2 p.m. inside Birthright Alumni Hall. The Ambassadors enter the game 10-18 overall, while the Bleu Devils are 12-14.

"We've already made history, but we're hungry for more," said Abrams, who was an All-American guard at Oakwood. "We're not satisfied with what we've done. We're excited to be in the tournament. I love my team and we're ready to show the world how good we can be."

Oakwood and Dillard split the season series.

The Bleu Devils won 69-61 in Huntsville on Jan. 13, while the Ambassadors won 64-57 in New Orleans on Feb. 17.

In the first meeting, Trenisha Adams and Nekaya Williams combined for 36 points to lead Oakwood. In the second game, Williams, Adams, Nariah Alexander and Denaj'za Jackson all finished in doubled figures, combining for 53 points.

Abrams would like to see that kind of effort today.

"We're better when we play as a team," he said. "We need everybody to contribute. That's when we're at our best."

If Oakwood wants to win, Abrams says, the Ambassadors will have to contain Dillard forward Cassidy Lowe, who averaged 18.5 points and 10.5 rebounds against Oakwood this season.

"She can really play," Abrams said. "We've got to find a way to slow her down."

The Ambassadors will counter with Williams and Adams.

Williams is averaging 15 points, 5.5 rebounds, has 82 assists and 42 steals. Adams is averaging 13 points and 4.8 rebounds to go along with 49 steals and 66 assists. She also leads the team with 74 made 3-pointers.

"We can't afford to come out sluggish," Abrams said. "We've got to be ready to play from the opening tip. Everybody has to be solid."

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Players Mentioned

#23 Nariah Alexander: F; Sophomore

#2 Denaj'za Jackson: PG; Senior

#21 Trenisha Adams: SG; Sophomore

#4 Nekaya Williams: PG/SG; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#23 Nariah Alexander
: Sophomore
: F

#2 Denaj'za Jackson
: Senior
: PG

#21 Trenisha Adams
: Sophomore
: SG

#4 Nekaya Williams
: Sophomore
: PG/SG