Long makes impact in starting role
Shonda Long's constant defensive effort and solid shooting earned her a starting spot on the women's basketball team.
"I think that my consistency got me into the starting lineup," said the sophomore guard. "I have been consistent defensively and with my 3-pointers."
Long started the team's past five games after coming off the bench the previous 20. Long contributed with team highs in total points (84) and points per game (16.8) as a starter, averaging 1.6 points more per game than junior Britni Houghton (15.2), the second highest average in the same five-game stretch.
Coach Sue Guevara said Long has adjusted very nicely to her new role on the team and is not trying to do too much.
"She is playing within her game," she said. "She is not trying to do more than what she did before coming off the bench. She is coming in and making a difference from the start as opposed to making a difference off the bench."
Long saw her playing time jump from 17.5 minutes per game to about 28 as a starter. She also scored a career-high 29 points in a losing effort against Bowling Green on Sunday.
The performance also was the second-best scoring output by any CMU player this season, behind senior guard Angel Chan's 33 points against Western Michigan on Jan. 17.
Guevara said Long developed into a leader and is a very smart player.
"Shonda always knows the game plan," Guevara said. "She always knows the personnel and the type of defense we are supposed to be in. She is also a communicator and she is always talking. If she doesn't know something, she will always ask to clarify."
Long averaged 7.95 points per game off the bench.
Long's role on the team, however, does not change, she said. Instead, it means that she starts off the game doing what she has done in the past - provide energy.
"It feels the same really, but now I am starting instead of coming off the bench," she said. "It is the same I just have to bring the same level of energy and effort whether I am starting or coming off the bench."
Long enjoys her role as a starter, but likes coming off the bench more.
"I like coming off the bench because you get the chance to sit for a while and observe what the other team is doing," she said. "That way you are ready to maintain the level of energy when you get into the game."
Being a vocal player is one of Long's better habits, she said.
"I am very loud," Long said. "I talk a lot and we need that for our defense so that everyone knows the plays we are running. I think that helped get me into the starting line-up."
Guevara said Long is never afraid to shoot the ball.
"Shonda is fearless," she said. "Last year, it didn't matter who we played, she was always looking to attack and there wasn't a shot that she didn't like. I think she has gotten better with her shot selection this year."
CMU next plays at 2 p.m. Sunday in Rose Arena against Ball State.
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