Senior Emily Miller and Sara Nady combined for 43 points as the Roberts Wesleyan women’s basketball team extended their winning streak to four with a convincing 75-63 victory, while the men earned their fifth win of the season 65-61 both over the University of the District of Columbia.
Miller registered her 12th double-double of the season with 15 points and 17 boards, putting her among the top ten in rebounds in East Coast Conference history. Nady netted a career-high 28 points.
The Redhawks women never trailed and led by 16 at the half as they dominated in rebounds 24-12 and shot 60 percent from three-point territory over the first 20 minutes.
UDC did cut their lead to six late, but senior Tashayia Sutorius and Nady combined to go six-for-six from the free throw line in the closing minute.
“I have mixed feelings, but definitely an emotional day,” Nady said about her final home game. “Our team just beat the number one seed in our conference and it just shows how much we can accomplish when we play at a high level, so I think we’re picking it up at the right time going into the playoffs, which is huge in terms of ranking and seeding.”
Miller added 17 rebounds to her 15 points and six assists while sophomore Taryn Wilson added 13 points.
The team recognized seniors Miller, Nady, Jessie Cooke and Sutorius prior to the game.
In the men’s contest, the lead changed hands six times in the first half and Roberts led by four points at halftime. With the game tied 52-52 at little past the midway point of the second half, junior transfer Shane Fanning’s jumper and junior Armon Nasseri’s drive on back-to back possessions put the Redhawks ahead for good.
Nasseri, Amari Lee and Fanning off the bench each scored 14 points for Roberts and Fanning led with eight rebounds. Lee handed out six assists as Roberts won for just the second time since the calendar turned to 2020.
“We just keep preaching to do the right things and today it worked out for us,” Roberts head coach Mark Saladzius said. “Shane was actually sick most of the week and missed several practices, but today he came through and to his credit gave us great minutes.”
