Women's Basketball | 1/15/2017 5:04:00 PM

GAME 17
Saint Francis U (7-9, 4-1 NEC) at Robert Morris (8-8, 3-2 NEC)
Monday, January 16, 2017 • 2:00 p.m.
Charles L. Sewall Center (3,056) • Moon Township, Pa.

Video: NECFrontRow.com • RMUColonials.com
Video Talent: Adam Gusky (play-by-play), Justin Pyles (color commentary)
Twitter: @RMUWBasketball • Instagram: rmuwbasketball
 
The Capsule
Robert Morris looks to extend its winning streak to a season-high three games as it renews its Keystone State rivalry against Saint Francis U on Monday, Jan. 16. The Colonials and Red Flash are equipped with the two best offenses in the NEC at this point of the season as they sit one-two in points per game, scoring margin, field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage, three-pointers made, and assists.
 


The Series vs. Saint Francis U
Entering the 81st chapter of the RMU/SFU rivalry, the Colonials hold a slight 41-39 edge, thanks to a 22-13 mark in Moon Township. The teams have traded wins and losses over their last six meetings, with RMU last being on the right side of the last bout - a 57-43 victory on Leap Day last year. The Colonials held the Red Flash to just 26.9 percent shooting in the contest and received a game-high 16 points from Anna Niki Stamolamprou.

Scouting the Red Flash
Saint Francis U is one of three 4-1 teams in conference, with its only blemish coming on New Year's Eve at Sacred Heart. The Red Flash, who picked up a notable 103-100 win at Wisconsin early in the season, Sophomore guard Jessica Kovatch is averaging a team-best 20.8 points per game on 41.2 percent shooting, while Maryland transfer Ace Harrison is a double-double machine at 14.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per contest. SFU also has a pair of shot blockers in the post, as sophomore Courtney Zezza and redshirt junior Cydney Smith are one-two in the NEC at 2.69 and 1.92 per game, respectively.
 
Know Your Enemy
Megan Smith is averaging nearly a double-double against Saint Francis U in her career, tallying a total of 48 points (12.0 PPG) and 36 rebounds (9.0 PPG) to go along with seven assists, five steals, and three blocks. Smith posted a double-double in her debut against the Red Flash, registering 15 points and 11 rebounds on Jan. 5, 2015, and followed that up with an 18-point, nine-carom performance on Feb. 28, 2015.

Last Time Out
Robert Morris picked up its second consecutive win in an 82-63 decision at Wagner on Saturday, Jan. 14. The Colonials opened with the game's opening 11 points and didn't allow the Seahawks to score until the 3:12 mark of the first quarter. RMU had four players in double-figure scoring and tied its season-high in steals with 13.
 
Scorin' Stamolamprou
Senior guard Anna Niki Stamolamprou tied a pair of single-game school records against LIU Brooklyn on Jan. 9, 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 Jan. 9, 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 (60.4) and field goal defense (.382), and has held four teams to under 30 percent shooting - already matching its total from the 2014-15 and 2015-16 campaigns.
 
Mulrain Makes 'Em All
Junior center Mikalah Mulrain became the first player in program history to go a perfect 8-for-8 from the floor in her season-high 18-point effort at Wagner on Saturday. The previous record for field goal percentage (min. 8 FGM) in a single game was .900, accomplished twice by Sugeiry Monsac on Feb. 5, 2007 and Maebeth Schalles on Feb. 27, 1992.
 
The Floor General
Senior guard Janee Brown has had a strong start to her final season in a Colonial uniform, owning a 1.79 assist-to-turnover ratio through the first 16 games. Brown (61a, 34t) 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' eight 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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