Saturday's women's basketball game at McAlister Gymnasium - the final game of the regular season - was a fitting salute to several senior players and an exciting glimpse of how the next few seasons may unfold.  An 80-61 romp over Virginia Intermont College lifted the Cavaliers' record to 21-9 and evened their regular season record in the Appalachian Athletic Conference at 8-8 as the league tournament begins on Thursday, February 24.  

Further, the ease of the win allowed Head Coach Craig Jackson to play all the seniors extensive minutes and receive the final home ovations that their years of service to the program earned.  Jackson said, "Winning as we did was a great way to celebrate Senior Night.  We jumped on them early and played well the entire game."  

It's worth noting that the Cavaliers completed last year's regular season with a road victory over this same Cobras team, but that the win on February 21, 2009 lifted the Cavs' record to a lowly 8-21 and was the team's 3rd league win only.

A year of playing together, practicing incessantly, finding player rotations that worked well, and accommodating talented newcomers yielded a better season, but Saturday's contest was also a testament to the importance of veterans.  Senior Whitney Boone scored 18 points to finish as the game's high scorer, and fellow senior Kera Bryant played a superb all-around game, scoring 15 and adding 6 rebounds and 4 assists.  

The future of the program was well-represented, too, as sophomore Center Alicia Wallace totaled 17 points and junior guard Chaecie Bullock scored 16.  

All the players - underclassmen and seniors - will need to be ready as the AAC tournament arrives late this week.  Pairings for the tournament will be announced soon, and the Cavaliers will hope to extend the seniors' careers - and all their seasons - for a few more games at least.