Stony Brook’s Jessica Smith (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) has been America East Player of the Week honors for week 11, while Vermont’s Courtnay Pilypaitis (Orleans, Ontario/St. Peter) wins her fifth-straight America East Rookie of the Week accolade. The awards were announced on Monday (January 21).
Smith earns her third player of the week honor of the season and eighth all-time. She posted a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds in a win at Maine. The senior forward ranks second in the league in scoring at 16.8 ppg and is the league-leader in rebounding at 7.4 rpg.
Pilypaitis, who collects her league-best seventh rookie of the week award, averaged 18.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg last week. She scored a career-high 24 points against Albany and followed that up with 13 points against Binghamton The freshman moved into a third-place tie on the all-time list of America East Rookie of the Week award winners. Last season, Erica Beverly set the single-season record for rookie of the week accolades as she received this honor 10 times. Pilypaitis is leading all underclassmen in scoring and ranks fourth overall (14.4 ppg). She is also third in the conference in assists (4.39 apg). Pilypaitis has been averaging 17.6 ppg in conference play, second best in the league.
Usual Suspects Back on Top
Stony Brook and Hartford find themselves back on top after the first few weeks of conference play. The teams spent most of 2005-06 battling for the league’s top spot and were picked to finish at the top again this season. The Seawolves are 4-1, winners of four straight. The Hawks are on a three-game winning streak of their own and boast a 4-1 record through five games.
Knocking on the Door of 1,000
Maine’s Ashley Underwood (Augusta, Maine/Cony) sits just four points away from 1,000 for her career, while teammate Bracey Barker (Bar Harbor, Maine/Mount Desert Island) is just five points shy of 1,000. The duo is next in action at UMBC on Wednesday.
Vermont Drops Back-to-Back Games
After jumping out to a 13-3 mark overall and a perfect 3-0 in America East, the Catamounts dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season. Albany captured a 62-59 win over Vermont on Wednesday and Binghamton downed the Catamounts 64-55 on Sunday.
Smith Nets 1,500th Point
Stony Brook’s Jessica Smith (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) netted 25 points against Maine as she surpassed 1,500 points for her career. Recently, her classmate Mykeema Ford (Trenton, N.J./Cheshire Academy) became just the 25th America East player to score 1,500 points.
Free for Bracey
Maine’s Bracey Barker (Bar Harbor, Maine/Mount Desert Island) has been lights out from the charity stripe this season. She leads the league in free-throw percentage and ranks sixth in the nation from the line. She is shooting 92.3 percent overall.
Hartford Defense 13th Nationally
Hartford continues to rise to the top behind the strength of its defense. The Hawks rank 13th nationally as they are allowing just 54.2 ppg.
Bracey Barker - She Shoots: She Scores
Maine’s Bracey Barker (Bar Harbor, Maine/Mount Desert Island) leads the conference in free throw and field goal percentage. She ranks 26th in the nation in field goal percentage at 55.3 percent and is sixth in free throw percentage at 92.3.
2007 Ford Scorer
Stony Brook’s Mykeema Ford (Trenton, N.J./Cheshire Academy) has kicked her scoring up a notch since the new year. The senior guard is averaging 25.6 ppg in 2007 and has led the Seawolves to a 4-1 mark in conference play out of the gate.
Ford Extends Double-Digit Streak
Stony Brook’s Mykeema Ford (Trenton, N.J./Cheshire Academy) owns a league-best 19 game double-digit scoring streak, dating back to the March 10, 2006 America East quarterfinal game against Vermont. The league-leading scorer netted a game-high 27 points in a win over Maine last time out.
RPI Update: Seven Teams Moving Up
America East remains locked into the #16 slot in the Jan. 21 version of the Collegiate Basketball News (CBN) women’s college basketball ratings percentage index (RPI). However, seven America East teams improved its standings from week six. All and all, six of the nine teams ranked in the top 200, while one is in the top 100 (Hartford - 78).
School 1/15 1/21 Diff.
Stony Brook 125 107 +18
Albany 227 211 +16
UMBC 207 200 +7
Binghamton 284 278 +6
Maine 165 160 +5
Hartford 82 78 +4
New Hampshire 287 284 +3
Stony Brook’s One-Two Scoring Duo
Stony Brook’s Mykeema Ford (Trenton, N.J./Cheshire Academy) and Jessica Smith (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) rank first and second in the league in scoring, respectively. Ford leads the league in averaging 18.7 ppg, while Smith is second at 16.8 ppg. Never in league history has a team had players finish first and second in scoring.
Seawolves’ One-Two Rebounding Pair
Stony Brook’s Dana Ferraro (Middlesex, N.J./Middlesex) and Jessica Smith (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) are tied for first in the league in rebounding. Both players are pulling down 7.4 rpg.
Albany Matches 2005-06 Win Total
Albany matched its 2005-06 win total with its win over first-place Vermont... The Great Danes were 7-21 overall and 3-13 in league play in 2005-06... They are 3-3 in league play and 7-12 overall through 19 games this season.
Hartford Extends Home Streak
The Hawks extended their conference home win- streak to 18 games with a win over UMBC. This streak includes Hartford’s impressive 6-0 record in the America East Championship over the past two seasons.
Defense: A League Trend
America East schools have been turning up the heat defensively this season. Four of nine teams are holding opponents under 60 points per game, while all nine are under 71.0 ppg allowed. In addition, all nine schools are holding its opponents under 45 percent shooting from the floor.
Not in Our House
America East schools finished non-conference play 24-17 in non-conference home games. Home teams are 15-8 in conference games this season.
Non-Conference Success
America East teams have combined for a 55-58 (.491) non-conference record in 2006-07 season. As a whole, conference teams are 9-2 against the Ivy League and have tallied seven wins over the MAAC and six over the Patriot League and Northeast Conference.
Seniors Leading the Way
The America East elders continue to lead their respective teams offensive. Seven of the top 10 scorers, including the top three, are all seniors.
Rank Name, School PPG
1. Mykeema Ford, Stony Brook 18.7
2. Jessica Smith, Stony Brook 16.8
3. Bracey Barker, Maine 15.3
5. Katie Meinhardt, Boston U. 15.2
6. Danielle Clark, New Hampshire 14.1
7. Sharri Rohde, UMBC 14.1
9. Ashley Underwood, Maine 13.7
Tournament Frenzy
America East schools have participated in 16 in-season tournaments during non-conference play this year. Earlier this season, Vermont won the URI Invitational and TD Banknorth Classic, Maine captured the Dead River Classic title, UMBC went a perfect 2-0 at the Battle at the Border Tournament, and Boston U. lost to No. 3 Duke in the finals of the Blue Sky Classic.
Playing the Field (NCAA STYLE)
America East schools are slated to play 24 of the 64 teams in last year’s NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. Among these teams are Connecticut, Purdue, Duke, Temple, Arizona State and Boston College. Several other teams earned automatic bids by winning their conference championship.
Lights, Camera, Action
America East announced its most comprehensive television schedule in history with more than 50 men’s and women’s basketball games slated for broadcast in 2006-07 (see following page for complete schedule). Included in the package is the America East Men’s Basketball Championship, which will air live on ESPN2 on March 10 at 12 noon. It marks the 19th-consecutive year that the championship game will appear on ESPN or ESPN2.
America East and ESPN Regional Television will team up to produce and distribute games throughout the America East geographic footprint, which includes several of the nation’s top 25 media markets including New York (No. 1), Boston (No. 5), Washington, D.C. (No. 8), Baltimore and Hartford. In addition, no fewer than 12 games will be included in the ESPN Full Court package, the subscription service provided by ESPN. The games will also be available on-line via video streaming at AmericaEast.com, through the conference’s multi-media partner, XOS Technologies.
Championship Binghamton Bound
The America East Women’s Basketball Championship moves to Binghamton for the first time in 2007 as Binghamton University hosts the nine-team tournament on March 8-11 at Events Center. The first round game will take place on Thursday, March 8, followed by the quarterfinals on Friday, March 9, the semifinals on Saturday, March 10 and the title game on Sunday, March 11.
Tournament ticket packages are $25 for youth/students and $40 for adults. To purchase tickets call 607-777-SLAM or online at www.AmericaEast.com. To request media credentials for the conference’s premier event, email Tom Wilkins (wilkins@americaeast.com).
TEAM-BY-TEAM NOTEBOOKS
Albany Great Danes
Albany (7-12, 3-3 America East) defeated first-place Vermont, 62-59, on Wednesday... Freshman guard Britney McGee (Bakersfield, Calif./West), the America East Conference Player of the Game, scored 14 points and made the go-ahead three-point field goal with 23 seconds remaining... Senior guard Amanda Ward (East Hartford, Conn./Comm. College of R.I./East Hartford) had a team-high 16 points... Sophomore center Kirsten Peterson (Owego, N.Y./Newark Valley) added six points and tied a career-high with 11 rebounds... Students from 11 local elementary schools highlighted UAlbany’s largest crowd of the season, 1,130, on the NCAA’s Commitment to Education Day... The team’s seventh win of the season equaled its victory total from last year... On Saturday, Jan. 20, the Great Danes fell to Hartford, 60-42, dropping their America East record to 3-3... UAlbany struggled from the floor, shooting only 12 percent in the first half... Freshman guard Charity Iromuanya (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Northeast) tied a career high with 10 points and had a career?best six steals... Ward currently leads the team and ranks 10th in the conference with 11.4 points per game, while junior forward Kristin Higy (Akron, Ohio/George Mason/North Canton) is first on the team and fifth in the league with 6.4 rebounds per game... The Great Danes have blocked an average of 3.32 shots per game, third-best in the conference... UAlbany is idle for seven days, until it travels to Stony Brook for a 2 p.m. matchup on Saturday.
Binghamton Bearcats
Binghamton (6-12, 2-3 AE) broke a two-game losing streak with a 64-55 win over Vermont on Saturday... Junior guard Laura Sario (Espoo, Finland/Tapiolalonken) continues to lead the Bearcats averaging 13.8 points per game... Against America East Conference opponents, she has averaged 15.8 points per contest... Since coming back from minor knee surgery, Sario has averaged 17.3 points per game... She recorded double figures in the past 11 games she has played... Junior forward Brianna Thompson (Chehalis, Wash.) netted a team-high 13 points against Vermont and now ranks second on the squad with 9.0 points per game... Against America East Conference opponents, she is averaging 10.8 points per outing and has grabbed a team-best 6.8 rebounds per game... In the win over Vermont, Binghamton converted 12 of it last 13 free throws... In Binghamton’s two games last week, sophomore forward Laura Franceski (Moscow, Pa./North Pocono) averaged 10.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per outing.
Boston University Terriers
Boston University (9-9, 1-4 America East) dropped a 78-73 decision to Maine on Saturday... The Terriers made a comeback late in the second half as they made it a one-possession game seven times within the final five minutes... Junior Cheri Raffo (Asbury, N.J./North Hunterdon) was 7-of-12 from the field for 16 points, while sophomore Kristi Dini (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley) nailed 5-of-6 three-point attempts to post a team-high 17 points... Freshman Aly Hinton (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock) earned Boston U.’s America East Player of the Game honors after pouring in 12 points, collecting six rebounds, two assists and one steal... Sophomore Jesyka Burks-Wiley (Kansas City, Mo./Lincoln College Prep) added a season-high 12 points and helped ignite the Terriers late in the second half... As a team the Terriers shot 45.8 percent from the field and were 10-of-12 from the free throw line... After going down by as many as 13 points in the second stanza, Raffo and Burks-Wiley sparked the BU offense and combined for 13 points down the stretch.
Hartford Hawks
Hartford (11-7, 4-1 America East) grabbed a pair of victories last week, increasing its margin of victory against conference opponents in each of the two games... The week began with a 13-point home victory over UMBC and then took to the road for an 18-point win over Albany at SEFCU Arena... The Hawks defense was the key to both games last week... Against UMBC, the Hawks held the Retrievers to only 45 points, including the lowest second half point total this season at 17... The Hawks then held the Great Danes to only eight first half points. On the flip side, the Hawks have shot impressive over the past two games with a 42 percent (21-of-50) outing at home and 44.6 percent (25-of-56) at Albany... Danielle Hood (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas) has led the team in each of the past three games with 19 points against UMBC and 17 at Albany... She has been impressive from the field in conference play, shooting 49.3 percent from the field (35-of-71)... Hartford has also been impressive on the boards with an average of 16.5 more rebounds than its opponents. Katie Kelley (Syracuse, N.Y./Corcoran) has led the Hawks rebounding efforts with a career-high of 16 boards, while also grabbing double digit boards at Albany with 10... For the season, Hood leads the team in scoring, averaging 12.0 points-per-game, while Kelley leads the team in rebounding with an average of 5.8 rebounds-per-game.
Maine Black Bears
Maine (9-8, 3-3 America East) split its two games this past week, including dropping a 79-66 decision to Stony Brook on Wednesday, but following with a 78-73 victory over Boston University on Saturday... Both games were played at Alfond Arena, marking just the second time this season Maine played back-to-back games at home... Ashley Underwood (Augusta, Maine/Cony) averaged 18.5 points per game in the two contests, including a 20-point performance in the win on Saturday... She now stands just four points shy of 1,000 points scored for her career... Bracey Barker (Bar Harbor, Maine/Mount Desert Island) led Maine with 22 points against the Terriers... She now stands just five points shy of 1,000 for her career... Both Underwood and Barker have scored in double-figures in all six America East games this season... The other Black Bear to score in double-figures in both contests during the week was senior forward Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa (Apple Valley, Minn./The Breck School)... She scored 13 points against SBU and followed with 14 off the bench against Boston U... Maine returns to action with a pair of games this week... The Black Bears will travel to Baltimore to face UMBC on Wednesday at 12 p.m.... Maine will return home on Saturday to play host to defending league champion Hartford at 12 p.m.... That game will be broadcast locally on TV at WABI-5 in Bangor and worldwide on the internet at www.watchmainesports.com(.)
UMBC Retrievers
UMBC (10-9, 3-3 America East) split a pair of America East road games last week, falling to Hartford, 58-45, on Jan. 17, before defeating New Hampshire, 59-56, on Jan. 20... At 3-3, the Retrievers are off to their best start to league play since joining the America East in 2003-04... UMBC lead for most of the first half at Hartford, using a 12-0 run to take a 21-10 lead over the defending conference champs midway through the period, but the Retrievers could not find the basket in the second half, scoring just one field goal in the last 15 minutes of the game... UMBC jumped out to a 30-11 lead early at New Hampshire, shooting 64.7 percent in the first 12:30 of the game... Freshman guard Carlee Cassidy (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill) tied a career high with 17 points in just 17 minutes of play on a career-best four three-pointers... With UMBC leading by just one point with less than a minute to play, Cassidy hit a reverse layup to seal the victory... Senior forward Sharri Rohde (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) had her 10-game double-digit scoring streak snapped at New Hampshire... Rohde ranks 12th all-time at UMBC with 1,050 points and 550 rebounds... Rohde has started 103 consecutive games... UMBC is the only team in the America East with four players ranking in the conference’s top 20 in scoring, with all four averaging double figures... The Retrievers host Maine on Jan. 24 for Midday Madness, as tipoff is at 12 p.m.
New Hampshire Wildcats
New Hampshire (6-11, 1-4 America East) split two conference games this week, battling in two very close contests against Binghamton and UMBC... On Jan. 17 the Wildcats were led by seniors Whitney Edwards (Mt. Vernon, N.Y.\Trinity Catholic (Conn.)) and Danielle Clark (Corinna, Maine\Nokomis Regional) who posted 16 points and seven rebounds apiece to lead UNH to a 58-55 overtime victory over Binghamton... The Wildcats held the lead for much of the second half, but Binghamton evened the score, 53-53, with just 40 seconds remaining in regulation. With five seconds remaining, Binghamton had an opportunity to take the lead and the game, but a clutch block by senior Ray Williams (Mississauga, Ontario\The Woodlands School) sent the contest into extra minutes... The Wildcats are now 5-0 in the last five overtime games... Edwards finished the game with a season-high six steals. On Jan. 20 Clark tied her career-best with 27 points in the Wildcats 59-56 loss to UMBC... She also doubled her previous career high in 3-pointers, sinking six from beyond the arc in the game... Clark is now in seventh place on UNH’s all-time points list with 1,169. Edwards had 10 steals on the weekend, totaling 202 in her career which puts her in second place on UNH’s all-time career steals list. The Wildcats will travel to face the Terriers of Boston University on Tuesday and then to Vermont to face the Catamounts on Saturday.
Stony Brook Seawolves
Stony Brook (8-9, 4-1) went 1-0 last week capturing a 79-66 win at Maine... In the win at Maine, once again, America East Player of the Week Jessica Smith (Bloomingdale, N.J./Butler) and Mykeema Ford (Trenton,N.J./Cheshire Academy) led the way, combining for 52 of the team’s 79 points... Smith recorded a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds... Ford scored 25 points including 11-11 from the line. The Seawolves forced 22 Black Bear turnovers and outrebounded Maine 37-25, including 19 offensive rebounds. For the third-straight game, Stony Brook is on the road when it travels to Burlington on Wednesday. After Vermont, the Seawolves will play host Albany on Saturday.
Vermont Catamounts
Vermont (13-5, 3-2 America East) dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season... Despite a career-high 24 points from seven-time America East Rookie of the Week Courtnay Pilypaitis (Orleans, Ontario/St. Peter) the Catamounts fell at Albany, 62-59... Brittney McGee hit a three-pointer with 23 seconds left to lift the Great Danes to the victory... At Binghamton, the Catamounts came back from a 15-point deficit to tie the game at 49 with four minutes to go, but the Bearcats made 13 of 14 free throws down the stretch to earn the victory... Pilypaitis averaged 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and shot 44 percent from the field on the week ... She has scored in double-digits in 10 straight games... Senior Brittney Cross (Durham, N.H./Oyster River) averaged 11.5 points per game and shot 52.6 percent from the field on the week... Vermont hosts Stony Brook on Wednesday and New Hampshire on Saturday at Patrick Gymnasium where the Catamounts have a seven-game home win streak.