@ DUQUESNE DUKES
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013 — 7:00 p.m. — Pittsburgh, Pa. — A.J. Palumbo Center
 
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The Capsule
The Robert Morris University women's basketball team will try to snap a four-game slide and get back in the win column when they make the drive down the Parkway West to take on the Duquesne Dukes in a 7:00 p.m. game Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the A.J. Palumbo Center. The Colonials have dropped four straight, three of those by less than 10 points.
 
The Series vs. Duquesne
Robert Morris and Duquesne have played each for the last 16 seasons while the series dates back to 1977-78. RMU trails the all-time series, 13-27, including a 3-12 mark in games on The Bluff. The Dukes have won five of the last six meetings.
 
Double-Double Streak Hits 32
Senior forward Artemis Spanou's current streak of 32 double-doubles is the second longest in NCAA Division I history. Her streak started on Nov. 28, 2012. Former Okhlahoma star Courtney Paris holds the record at an astounding 112 consecutive games.
 
Next Up - The Scoring Record
Having already set team records for double-doubles and rebounds, senior forward Artemis Spanou is about to eclipse the RMU career points mark of 1,633 points set by Laura Lindak (1989-94). Spanou currently has 1,628 points and has averaged 16.4 points for her career.
 
Oursler Rookie of the Week
Freshman forward Cassie Oursler was named the Choice Hotels NEC Rookie of the Week after recording the first double-double of her young career. The 6'3" forward scored 12 points, eight in the second half, and pulled down 10 boards in 25 minutes of action against Colgate.
 
Musket Shots
• RMU was selected first in the 2013 NEC Preseason Poll
• Freshman Cassie Oursler was named the Choice Hotels NEC Rookie of the Week
• Senior forward Artemis Spanou has recorded 32 consecutive double-doubles and is the all-time leader at RMU with 66
• Her current streak is the second-longest in NCAA Division I history (Courtney Paris, Oklahoma - 112)
• Freshman Janee Brown's 10 assists against Northern Kentucky were the most by a Colonial since January 9, 2012
• Five players reached double-digit points against Coppin State, the first time since Mar. 6, 2010 that has happened
• RMU is 99-30 at the Sewall Center since 2004-05, including 65-15 in NEC games
• The Colonials six-game homestand to open the season was the longest in team history
• Robert Morris has made it to the NEC Tournament semifinals in seven of the last nine seasons
 
FIBA Europe Young Women's Player of the Year
Senior forward Artemis Spanou is one of 10 finalists for the FIBA Europe Young Women's Player of the Year 2013. It's the fourth consecutive year she's been a finalist. You can vote for Artemis by visiting fibaeurope.com.
 
Dapper Dan Nominee
Senior forward Artemis Spanou is one of five finalists for the Dapper Dan Sportswoman of the Year. The Dapper Dan Charities were founded by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 1936 and donates all contributions to the Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania. The fan voting period ended Dec. 8 and the winner will be anounced prior to the Feb. 6 banquet.
 
Spanou Sets Career Rebounding Mark
With 17 rebounds against Coppin State, senior forward Artemis Spanou RMU Hall of Fame member Elise James (1996-2000) for first on the Colonials career-rebounding list. James collected 1,120 rebounds during her career.
 
Dialing Long Distance ... from Europe
The Colonials European born players have accounted for all but one of the team's 55 three-pointers this season. Ashley Ravelli accounts for 17 treys to lead the team. Randi Jackson is the only American on the roster to hit a trey this season.
 
Tracking "Offensive Flow"
The new officiating guidelines designed to create more "offensive flow" have resulted in an average of 39.1 fouls per game, stopping flow over nine times more per game than last season. Through seven games, there have been an average of 39.1 fouls and 42.4 free throws per game. The Colonials games in 2012-13 averaged 29.9 fouls and 30.8 free throws per game.
 
The Last Time Times Two
Two things happened against Coppin State that hadn't happened in a long time — RMU went over the 80-points and five players reached double-digits in scoring.
     80 points - March 3, 2012 vs. Saint Francis, 92 pts
     5 Double-Digits - March 6, 2010 vs. Wagner
 
Preseason Prizewinner
With the NEC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year returning, the RMU women's basketball team is the favorite in the 2013-14 NEC Preseason Women's Basketball Coaches Poll. The Colonials received five of a possible nine first-place votes and are the favorite for the first time since the 2008-09 season and third time overall.
 
First All-American
After leading the nation in rebounding and the league in scoring, senior forward Artemis Spanou earned a spot on the NetScouts.com All-America Third Team in 2012-13. She is the first RMU player to earn such an honor. Spanou was also the NEC Player of the Year.
 
Ravelli Rookie of the Year
Sophomore Ashley Ravelli was named the 2012-13 NEC Rookie of the Year. Ravelli finished fourth in the league with 70 three pointers last season while averaging nearly 11 points per game.
 
Six In A Row At Sewall
The Colonials open the 2013—14 season with six consecutive home games, the longest home stand in team history. Robert Morris played five straight home games late in teh 1992-93 season, sandwiching a late season non-conference tilt in between a pair of league games.
 
Spanou Joins Elite 1,000-500-200-100 Club
Senior forward Artemis Spanou became the third player in RMU history and 17th in NEC history to reach 1,000 career points, 500 rebounds, 200 assists and 100 steals. The two RMU players to accomplish the feat are Betsy Puskar (1982-86, 1,035 pts., 632 reb., 254 asts., 206 steals) and Chinata Nesbit (2006-08, 1,083 pts., 620 reb., 245 asts., 124 stls.).
 
Perennial Playoff Potential
Robert Morris missed the playoffs for the first time since 2004-05 last season, falling shy by one game. RMU had eight consecutive playoff appearances from 2004-05 through 2011-12. RMU finished first in three of those seasons, earning the tournament's top seed in 2010.
 
International Love
The Robert Morris roster once again features members from all over the world. On a team of 12 players, seven hail from outside the borders of the United States while five call America home. Of the five Americans, all come from different states with Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, California and Virginia represented. Two players hail from Greece, two from Spain, and one each from France, Italy and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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