Saturday, February 4 | 1:30 pm
Daniel P. Nolan Gymnasium | Albany, NY
Southern Connecticut State (17-3/14-2 NE-10) at Saint Rose (13-7/10-6 NE-10)
Game Coverage: Live Stats | Live Audio | Saint Rose Game Notes
ALBANY - The College of Saint Rose women's basketball team will go in search of its fifth win in six games Saturday afternoon when the Golden Knights host Southern Connecticut State University in a Northeast-10 Conference game at 1:30 pm at the Daniel P. Nolan Gymnasium. The Owls are riding a 15-game winning streak, which began six days after they defeated Saint Rose 64-63 in New Haven on November 27.
THE SERIES
Today marks the 25th meeting between the two clubs. The Owls own a 15-9 lead in the all-time series following a 64-63 win in New Haven back on November 27. Saint Rose swept the regular-season series a year ago, while Southern Connecticut State took both meetings during the 2009-10 campaign.
LAST MEETING
Junior guard Camille Fantini drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the arc with 4.9 seconds remaining and host Southern Connecticut State University held on for a 64-63 victory over Saint Rose on November 27 at Moore Fieldhouse. Senior guard
Ashley Rath gave the Golden Knights a 63-61 edge when she converted a layup as she was fouled with 22 seconds to go. Fantini hauled in the rebound off Rath's ensuing free throw attempt and then took things into her own hands with her fourth trey of the game. Rath got one last look before the buzzer, but her shot rolled off the front rim. Rath led the Golden Knights in scoring with 18 points. Freshman guard
Gabie Polce wound up with 14 points, while junior forward
Emily Trapp added eight points and 10 boards. Sophomore forward Moni Smith-Ocran had an outstanding effort for Southern Connecticut. She finished with a “double-double” behind 21 points and 17 rebounds. Fantini tossed in 16 points as well.
SCOUTING SAINT ROSE (13-7/10-6 NE-10)
The Golden Knights have won four of their last five games following Tuesday's 68-65 overtime win at Le Moyne. Starting today, Saint Rose plays four of its final six games at home where it owns a 9-1 record this year. The Golden Knights are outscoring their opponents by a +12.3 margin in Albany. From an overall standpoint, Saint Rose yields just 55.1 points per-game, which ranks second in the NE-10. The Golden Knights are limiting opponents to a league-low 34.2 percent shooting from the floor. Saint Rose additionally paces the NE-10 in blocks (4.8 bpg) and is 13th in the country (Division II) in free throw percentage (76.4). Rath has been in twin-figures in 11 straight games. She is currently third in the league behind 17.9 points per-game. Rath is furthermore fourth in free throw percentage (88.8) where she has buried 35 of her last 36 attempts. Senior guard
Ola Shajuyigbe contributes 11.4 points per-outing, while senior forward
Ali Johnson is adding 9.3 points. Johnson, who averages a team-high 8.9 rebounds, leads the NE-10 in blocks (2.6 bpg).
SCOUTING SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE (17-3/14-2 NE-10)
The Owls are receiving votes in the latest
USA Today ESPN Division II Poll. They have won an impressive 15 games in a row, the longest current streak in the conference. Southern has not lost since a 46-42 setback versus Pace back on November 30. The Owls are sixth in the nation (Division II) in turnover margin (+7.0) and are eighth in steals (14.2 spg). Fantini has played a major role in the latter as she ranks 13th in the country with 3.4 steals per-game. Senior guard Sylvonya Moore and Fantini are tossing in 14.5 and 10.6 points per-game to lead a balanced attack that features five players who average at least 9.0 ppg. Smith-Ocran nearly averages a "double-double" with 9.6 points and 10.0 rebounds.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Golden Knights have found great success at the Daniel P. Nolan Gymnasium since its renovation prior to the 2004-05 season. Saint Rose has posted a 76-25 home slate for a .760 winning percentage. Furthermore, the Golden Knights have defeated five ranked opponents on their home floor, including twice last season.
PINKZONE/COACHES VS. CANCER
Saint Rose will donate the proceeds from paid admissions to today's contests to the
Susan G. Komen Foundation,
The V Foundation for Cancer Research, and
Camp Bravehearts. Additionally, the College will match the dollar figure collected at the gate. The total figure will be divided equally among all three of the aforementioned charities with Saint Rose President Dr. R. Mark Sullivan presenting a check at halftime of the men's game to representatives from each organization benefiting from the College's gesture. General admission to all Saint Rose home basketball dates is five dollars. Tickets go on sale one hour prior to tip-off.
UP NEXT
Both clubs return to action Wednesday night with a pair of 5:30 pm league games on tap. The Golden Knights play host to Adelphi University and can be seen live via
www.gogoldenknights.tv. Meanwhile, the Owls head to Pace University.
