Women’s basketball team wins season opener

By Nick Cardoso | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The Flagler women’s basketball team opened its season on Nov. 13 with a 70-63 win over Ave Maria University at Flagler Gym.

Flagler women’s guard Charlsea Owen said the win over Ave Maria was a confidence booster.

“Our game against Ave Maria was a good start,” Owen said. “We were hoping the score margin would be a little more spread, but a win is a win.”

Owen affirmed that the team can have success in the Peach Belt Conference despite having such a young team. The Lady Saints have seven freshmen, two transfers and return only one starter from last season. The general consensus is that these fresh faces add more athleticism to the team.

“We definitely have the players to compete. It is just a matter of us finding that chemistry and trusting one another,” Owen said. “Our team’s biggest strength I think is that we are well balanced. There is no superstar on our team. We don’t have to look for one person to score, we have multiple players who can put the ball in the hoop.”

Owen said her biggest strength is her shot. According to the Flagler College athletics website, Owen finished 10th in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage and 11th in 3-pointers made per game.

“I’ve got two years behind me, so I feel a little more experienced and more apt to help the younger ones.”

Flagler finished the 2009-10 season with an 8-19 overall record and a 3-15 conference record. Owen said that the team needs to improve its composure on the court and learn to better handle pressure over 40 minutes.

The team’s goal this season is to make the Peach Belt Conference tournament.

The Lady Saints’ next matchup is an away game against Palm Beach Atlantic University on Saturday, Nov. 20.