Women's Basketball | 11/15/2017 6:08:00 PM
GAME 2
Bowling Green Falcons (2-0) at Robert Morris Colonials (0-1)
Thursday, November 16, 2017 // 10:00 a.m. // Moon Township, Pa. – North Athletic Complex
Live Video: NEC Front Row // Live Stats: RMUColonials.com
Play-by-Play: Adam Gusky, Color Commentary: Justin Pyles
The Capsule
After falling this past Saturday at Michigan State, the Robert Morris women's basketball begins the home slate of its schedule opening the North Athletic Complex on Thursday, Nov. 16 with an early morning meeting with Bowling Green. The Colonials previously called the Charles L. Sewall Center home for 32 seasons, owning a record of 248-147 (.628) in the arena known as 'The Chuck'. This game features a special 10:00 a.m. opening tip as a part of
Career & Education Day – the first of two this season.
NOTES: Bowling Green @ Robert Morris (11.16.17)
The Opponent
Bowling Green has won both its games in the early season, first defeating Eastern Kentucky by 17 points before going on the road to top Detroit Mercy on Monday, 85-81. The Falcons are led by junior guard Carly Santoro, who has averaged a double-double (20.5 ppg, 11.5 ppg) over the team's opening contests. Sophomore forward Andrea Cecil and junior guard Sydney Lambert are also averaging double figures in scoring at 14.0 and 13.0 points per game, respectively. Bowling Green has taken care of the ball in the early going, owning an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.8 and a plus-nine turnover margin.
The Series
Overall: 0-2 |
Home: 0-1 |
Away: 0-1 |
Streak: L2
Last Game: Bowling Green 92, Robert Morris 81 (12.31.06)
The Colonials and Falcons have played twice in their histories, with the last meeting coming on New Year's Eve in 2006. Bowling Green defeated Robert Morris on that day, 92-81, despite a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double by future RMU Hall of Fame inductee Chinata Nesbit.
Coach B Weekly
In the third episode of
Coach B Weekly, head coach
Charlie Buscaglia recaps RMU's opener at Michigan State, shows pride in
Megan Callahan's debut performance, explains the small differences in preparing for an early morning game, and previews the inaugural game at North Athletic Complex against Bowling Green.
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A Dream Debut
Despite rolling an ankle the day before opening tip,
Megan Callahan put forth a stellar performance in her first game as a Colonial with a team-high 14 points at Michigan State. Callahan, who shot 5-of-10 from the floor and 4-of-6 on triples, is the first player to score at least 14 points in their debut since Anna Niki Stamolamprou accomplished the feat on Nov. 7, 2013 against Hofstra. For her efforts, the native of Bristow, Va. was named NEC Rookie of the Week, becoming the first RMU freshman since Artemis Spanou to gain the honor after opening weekend.
Ikematsu Starts for RMU
Freshman guard
Honoka Ikematsu became the first rookie to start a season opener for Robert Morris since Nov. 16, 2014 when
Megan Smith appeared in the starting five at Iowa. She played a team-high 28 minutes, tallying five points and four assists from the point guard position.
Dunks and Donuts
This is the third consecutive season in which Robert Morris has opened the home slate of its schedule with a 10:00 a.m. start. The Colonials previously defeated West Virginia Wesleyan in 2015, 124-59, and Point Park last November, 69-52.
Welcome to Hoop Township
Robert Morris is in the midst of its greatest run ever, capturing three of the last four NEC Tournament titles, including the last two. The Colonials have made five NCAA Tournaments since 2006-07, owning a 204-147 (.581) overall record and a mark of 138-60 (.697) in league play during this stretch.
Can I Get An(other) Encore?
The Colonials are in pursuit of their third consecutive NEC Tournament championship this season, a feat that has only been accomplished three times in conference history – last by Saint Francis U from 2002-05.
Like Father, Like Son
After assisting his father, Sal Buscaglia, for 13 seasons at Robert Morris,
Charlie Buscaglia was given the reigns to the program prior to the 2016-17 season. In his first season as head coach, Coach B, as he is respectfully called, led the Colonials to NEC regular season and tournament crowns and claimed Brenda Reilly NEC Coach of the Year honors after shattering the RMU record for victories by a first-year head coach with 22.
Canada's Finest
An All-NEC Third Team selection in 2016-17, senior forward
Megan Smith was named to the Preseason All-NEC Team ahead of her final hurray in Moon Township. Smith is the team's leading returning scorer (10.7 ppg) and rebounder (6.0 rpg), and is the program's career leader in three-point percentage (.413).
Block Party
Senior center
Mikalah Mulrain collected a blocked shot at Michigan State, upping her career total to 135. Mulrain now sits 34 shy of Anna Gailite's school record of 169, which she set from 2009-13.
Ezeigbo Knows
Someone who showcased a very bright future last season was sophomore center
Nneka Ezeigbo, who was rewarded with an All-NEC Rookie Team selection. Ezeigbo topped double figures in scoring on eight occasions, posted an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double on Feb. 4 at St. Francis Brooklyn, and averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in just 17.1 minutes per game.
Milestone Watch
Megan Smith and
Mikalah Mulrain are on pace to respectively join the 1,000 Point and 500 Rebound Clubs this season. Below is a look at how close they are to reaching these marks:
Smith: 892 points, 108 away from 1,000
Mulrain: 455 rebounds, 45 away from 500
Hei Alokas, Konnichiwa Ruki
Freshman guards
Nina Augustin and
Honoka Ikematsu are the program's first players from Finland and Japan, respectively.
Agent Zero
Senior guard
Shakema Dashiell is the only player in program history to wear the number zero.
Insurmountable Lead
Robert Morris has never lost a game in which it has held the lead at the end of the second half. The Colonials were 22-0 in such situations during the 2016-17 campaign. All-time, RMU is 573-0 when leading at the final whistle.
