http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/sports/college/college_basketball/article/james_madisons_evans_likely_to_miss_todays_vcu_game/207084/
Dawn Evans, James Madison University’s high-scoring sophomore guard, will almost certainly miss this afternoon’s key CAA women’s basketball showdown with VCU.
Sources at JMU are now indicating that Evans, whose 24.3-point scoring average is among the best in Division I, hasn’t sufficiently recovered from the sprained ankle she suffered early in the second half of Thursday night’s victory over CAA foe Drexel.
James Madison coach Kenny Brooks discussed Evans’ availability the morning after the Drexel game. At that point, many observers believed Evans would play – even if at reduced efficiency – in today’s 2 p.m. contest at the Siegel Center.
“She’s such a competitor,“ Brooks said. “If there’s any way she can be out on the floor, she will be.“ But he added, quickly, “there’s a lot of basketball still to be played. (VCU) is an important game, yes. But we don’t want to do anything for one game that might put her at risk for the rest of the season.“
The Dukes, VCU and Drexel are tied for first place in the CAA standings with 10-2 league records. After today, JMU will have five conference games remaining. In addition, the Dukes, typically a formidable force when competing at home, have the significant luxury of knowing they will play host to the conference tournament Mar. 12-15. The winner of that tournament will receive the CAA’s automatic invitation to the NCAA playoffs.