Women's Basketball | 1/13/2017 9:43:00 AM

GAME 16
Robert Morris (7-8, 2-2 NEC) at Wagner (1-14, 0-4 NEC)
Saturday, January 14, 2017 • 1:00 p.m.
Spiro Sports Center (2,100) • Staten Island, N.Y.

Video: NECFrontRow.com
Live Stats: WagnerAthletics.com
Twitter: @RMUWBasketball • Instagram: rmuwbasketball
 
The Capsule
Robert Morris looks to build momentum from its record-filled victory against LIU Brooklyn on Monday night by playing its first road contest of the calendar year on Saturday, Jan. 14 against Wagner. The Colonials currently sit at .500 in the Northeast Conference (NEC) following their first two league series, while the Seahawks are still searching for their first conference victory of 2016-17.




The Series vs. Wagner
Although Robert Morris trails in the all-time series against the Seahawks, 28-32, it has won 19 of the teams' last 22 meetings. The Colonials swept Wagner last season, picking up a 79-49 victory in their last trip to Staten Island. Megan Smith and Anna Niki Stamolamprou each scored a team-high 14 points for RMU, while Ashley Ravelli added 11 on a 3-of-7 performance from deep.

Scouting the Seahawks
Wagner's lone victory this season came in its second game against NCAA Division III institution College of Staten Island. The Seahawks, who are led by first-year head coach Heather Jacobs, have lost three of their four NEC contests by double-digits, with the lone exception coming on Jan. 7 in a 59-53 defeat against Fairleigh Dickinson. Junior guard Tanasia Russell paces the team in scoring at 11.0 points per game, while reigning NEC Rookie of the Week Kerstie Phills is averaging 9.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest. Wagner has been efficient from the field thus far in conference play, converting at a 39.9 percent rate through four contests.

Coach B Weekly
In the eighth episode of Coach B Weekly, head coach Charlie Buscaglia discusses the team's historical night against LIU Brooklyn, how sophomore guard Nia Adams earned her first career start on Monday, the Colonials' hard-nosed battles with St. Francis Brooklyn over the years, and preparation for an unconventional away/home NEC series this weekend.


 
Know Your Enemy
In six games against Wagner, Anna Niki Stamolamprou has averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, while shooting 43.8 percent from the floor and 45.7 percent on three-point attempts. Stamolamprou has scored in double-digits each meeting, which includes an 18-point, seven-rebound performance on Jan. 4, 2016. Megan Smith has been in double-figures in two of the Colonials' last three meetings with the Seahawks. On March 2, 2015, Smith scored 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting and added five rebounds and three blocks.

Last Time Out
Robert Morris rebounded from a loss on Saturday, Jan. 7 to St. Francis Brooklyn in a big way, routing LIU Brooklyn the following Monday, 83-42. The 41-point margin of victory was the Colonials' largest since their 2015-16 opener against West Virginia Wesleyan (124-59) and marked their 11th straight victory over the Blackbirds.
 
Scorin' Stamolamprou
Senior guard Anna Niki Stamolamprou tied a pair of single-game school records against LIU Brooklyn, tallying 39 points on 15 made field goals. Stamolamprou tied Artemis Spanou with the 39 points, as the former two-time NEC Player of the Year first established the record on Feb. 8, 2014 against St. Francis Brooklyn. The 15 made field goals has now been accomplished four times, previously by Sade Logan on March 9, 2008 against Monmouth.
 
Lockdown D
Robert Morris' defensive prowess was at full display against LIU Brooklyn on Monday, establishing single-game program records for points allowed in a quarter and opponent field goal percentage. The Colonials held the Blackbirds to just three points in the opening frame, fewer than the previous standard of five on Feb. 29, 2016 against Saint Francis U. For the game, LIU shot just 19.6 percent from the field as its two leading scorers were held to 1-of-20 shooting combined.
 
Keeping an Identity
The Colonials have identified themselves as a strong defensive team in the past and this season is no different. RMU currently leads the NEC in scoring defense (60.3) and field goal defense (.375), and has held four teams to under 30 percent shooting - already matching its total from the 2014-15 and 2015-16 campaigns.
 
Mulrain? More Like No-Rain
In her first start since Nov. 16, Mikalah Mulrain provided the same defensive presence she has been known for during her time at Robert Morris. Mulrain blocked a trio of shots against St. Francis Brooklyn, moving her past Artemis Spanou and Elise James into second place all-time in program history with 115 rejections. She still has a climb to reach first place, however, as Anna Galite (2009-13) blocked 169 shots during her career to set the record.
 
The Floor General
Senior guard Janee Brown has had a strong start to her final season in a Colonial uniform, owning a 1.75 assist-to-turnover ratio through the first 15 games. Brown (50a, 31t) currently leads the Northeast Conference, which hasn't been done since 2009-10 when Angela Pace topped the league with a 2.36 mark.

Musket Shots
In the Colonials' seven victories this season, they have held a lead going into the fourth quarter  ... Sophomore guard Nia Adams made the first start of her career on Monday against LIU Brooklyn, tallying seven points and three assists in 21 minutes  ... All 11 players scored for the Colonials in their win over LIU Brooklyn on Jan. 9, marking the first time that has happened since March 8, 2015 in the NEC Quarterfinals against Fairleigh Dickinson... RMU returns 74 percent of its scoring from 2015-16, including five of its six leading scorers
 
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