Bonnies support "Pink Zone" cause

When the women's basketball team steps onto Bob Lanier Court tomorrow for its 1 p.m. matchup against Saint Joseph's, it will also support the battle against a tough opponent off the court.The Bonnies will take part in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) "Pink Zone" initiative, a program in which schools nationwide raise awareness for breast cancer.

The Brown and White will wear special T-shirts during warm-ups promoting the cause. Similar shirts will be available to fans for $10, with all proceeds going to either the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund or The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Additionally, those at the game who have fought or are fighting breast cancer, along with those who have succumbed to the disease, will be honored during halftime.

Senior forward Dana Mitchell said tomorrow's event will provide additional motivation for her team against the Hawks.

"History shows that we haven't lost (2-0) a "Pink Zone" game," Mitchell said. "It's definitely a big game, just for the support."

This year will mark the first time the event has occurred nationwide since the death of former North Carolina State coach Kay Yow. Yow, the creator of the "Pink Zone" concept, died of breast cancer Jan. 24, 2009. On that day, the Bonnies defeated Temple, 55-52, in a "Pink Zone" game.

Crowley said the game now takes on additional meaning: Honoring Yow's life.

"Kay Yow was such a great woman in our sport," Crowley said. "Just a pioneer. (She was) so courageous. There are women in everyone's life that just show this incredible courage to battle this terrible disease, and anything to raise awareness or honor those people . is something (we're) proud to do."

On the court, the Bonnies face a Saint Joseph's team led by senior forward, Brittany Ford, who was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week Monday after scoring 15 points and grabbing seven rebounds off the bench to lead the Hawks to a 45-39 victory over La Salle Jan. 27.

Ford is the only Saint Joseph's player who averages double digits in scoring, with 11.2 points per game. Senior forward Ashley Logue adds 7.6 ppg and leads the team with 5.0 rebounds per game.

Crowley noted that while the Hawks may not lead the A-10 in any statistical category, they have a balanced attack.

"They play really hard and tough," Crowley said. "They're a really good ball club, very well coached. They're the kind of team that's going to come after us."

The Brown and White enter Saturday's matchup winning two road games in the past week, defeating Temple 64-54 Jan. 30, followed by a 69-54 victory over Massachusetts Feb. 2.

Mitchell led the Bonnies with 18 points and five rebounds in the victory over the Owls, complemented by redshirt sophomore guard Armelia Horton's 16 points.

Sophomore center Megan Van Tatenhove led the Brown and White with 20 points against the Minutewomen, and Mitchell added 12 points.

Senior forward Andrea Doneth credited intense practices for the team returning to its early-season level of play.

"It's always hard to keep the competiveness and intensity up for every single practice," Doneth said. "That's been our big focus for us lately. Just try to be competitive every single practice, and go hard every single practice."

papaserj@sbu.edu