Women's Basketball | 3/10/2017 3:38:00 PM

GAME 32
#4 Bryant (18-13, 11-7 NEC) at #1 Robert Morris (21-10, 14-4 NEC)
2017 Northeast Conference Tournament Championship Game
Sunday, March 12, 2017 • 2:00 p.m.
Charles L. Sewall Center (3,056) • Moon Township, Pa.

TV: ESPNU
On-Air Talent: Paul Sunderland (play-by-play), Tamika Catchings (color commentary)
Radio: ESPN 970 AM • iHeart Radio App
Talent: Adam Gusky (play-by-play), Justin Pyles (color commentary)
Twitter: @RMUWBasketball • Instagram: rmuwbasketball
 
The Capsule
It will be the fourth consecutive NEC Championship Game appearance for Robert Morris as the Colonials take on fourth-seeded Bryant on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. for the right to go to the NCAA Tournament. RMU has won a pair of titles (2014, 2016) during this run and is looking for its seventh NEC Tournament crown overall. For Bryant, who topped second-seeded Sacred Heart in the semifinals, this will be its first NEC Championship Game appearance, in comparison to the Colonials' 10th.
 

 
Chuck's Last Dance
This will be the final game ever played at the Charles L. Sewall Center, regularly referred to as 'The Chuck', which has served as a the home for the Robert Morris men's and women's basketball teams since November of 1985. RMU is 247-147 (.587) all-time at The Chuck, including a 143-41 (.777) mark since the beginning of the 2004-05 season.

The Series vs. Bryant
Robert Morris has won 13 of 18 meetings against Bryant and owns a perfect 9-0 mark in home games. Five of the last seven home contests between the two teams have been decided by single digits. The Bulldogs were the last team to beat the Colonials, snapping their 11-game win streak in a 62-59 overtime thriller on Feb. 20.

RMU in the Playoffs is…
> 18-2 in home contests
> 6-1 all-time as the #1 seed
> 2-0 all-time against the #4 seed
> 3-0 against Bryant in the postseason, including a 72-59 win in last year's semifinals
> 6-3 in the NEC Championship Game

Coach B Weekly
On the 17th episode of Coach B Weekly, head coach Charlie Buscaglia discusses the following topics: the four-year stretch of NEC Championship Game berths, Central Connecticut keeping it close in the first half, where the freshmen are at now 31 games into the season compared to November, how fitting the final game at the Charles L. Sewall Center is one for a championship, and a preview of Sunday's title tilt with Bryant.


 
The Search for Seven
The Colonials have won six NEC Tournament titles over their history, including two in the past three seasons. That is the second most in league history behind Saint Francis U, who has won 11 championships. However, RMU has won four of its titles since 2006-07, which is twice as much as any other institution during that span.
 
20/10 Vision
RMU achieved its 20th win of the 2016-17 season on March 5 against Fairleigh Dickinson, which marks the 10th time that the team has reached the 20-win mark in program history.
 
Never Change
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 (56.5) and field goal defense (.369), and has held eight teams to under 30 percent shooting - which is its most since eight opponents were held below that mark in the 2009-10 season. The scoring defense number is currently the lowest in program history, just under the 57.1 mark set by the 2009-10 team.
 
Stepping Up Their Game
In its two NEC Tournament victories, Robert Morris has gotten significant contributions from a pair of its freshmen. Nneka Ezeigbo matched her career-high in points with 18 (8-13 FG) in 24 minutes against Central Connecticut, while Nadège Pluviose established a new personal best with 13 points in 18 minutes against Fairleigh Dickinson.
 
Starting Off On the Right Foot
One of the keys to Robert Morris' 16-4 record against NEC opponents this season has been its ability to get off to a fast start. Over the last 20 games, the Colonials have outscored their opponents in the first quarter, 318-216, which has given them an average cushion of 5.1 points entering the second frame.
 
You Shall Not Score
Robert Morris held Fairleigh Dickinson to just 35 points in its NEC Tournament quarterfinal contest, which is the program's best performance in that department since Feb. 28, 1980 when it only allowed 25 points to Chatham in an 84-25 victory.
 
All Gold Everything
RMU claimed a pair of NEC major awards and saw three players make all-conference teams this past Friday.
> Charlie Buscaglia (Brenda Reilly Coach of the Year)
> Anna Niki Stamolamprou (Player of the Year, First Team)
> Megan Smith (Third Team)
> Nneka Ezeigbo (Rookie Team)
 
Perennial Playoff Potential
Robert Morris is participating in its 12th NEC Tournament over the last 13 seasons. RMU had rattled off eight consecutive postseason appearances from 2004-05 to 2011-12, finishing first in three of those seasons. This is the third time that the Colonials will enter the NEC Tournament as the top seed, previously accomplishing this in 2010 and 2014.
 
Hard (to Guard) in the Paint
Robert Morris has gotten consistent production from its pair of centers, freshman Nneka Ezeigbo and junior Mikalah Mulrain. In a combined 38.8 minutes per game, the duo are averaging 13.0 points on 50.8 percent shooting, while pulling down 9.3 rebounds per contest. Both players have posted a double-double this season and share a season-high in scoring of 18 points.
 
Feelin' It
Senior guard Anna Niki Stamolamprou is averaging a career-high 16.3 points per game in her final hurrah and surpassed Laura Lindak (1989-94) for second place on the program's all-time scoring list on Jan. 30 at Saint Francis U. Stamolamprou now has 1,773 career points and has tallied a per-game average of 14.4 points during her time in Colonial blue and white.
 
Lift Off
First-year head coach Charlie Buscaglia now owns the winningest debut head coaching season in program history as his 21-10 record has surpassed Dan Swalga's 14-win campaign in 1978-79.
 
Decade of Dominance
From 2006-07 through this season, Robert Morris has posted a record of 138-60 (.697) in Northeast Conference play and won five regular season and four tournament titles. The Colonials have gone 202-146 (.580) over that span, reaching the 20-win mark in seven seasons.
 
As We Go On, We Remember
The senior trio of Janee Brown, Rebeca Navarro, and Anna Niki Stamolamprou has accomplished so much during their time at Robert Morris. They have been a part of 77 overall wins at RMU and 53 NEC victories, and helped guide the program to four trips to the NEC Championship Game, two NEC titles, and a pair NEC regular-season crowns.

Musket Shots
> This is the fifth time that Robert Morris has won or shared the NEC regular season title (2007, 2008, 2010, 2014)
> The Colonials are 6-0 when scoring 70+ points and 10-0 in contests where the team allows fewer than 50 points
> Anna Niki Stamolamprou is one of two players in program history to tally 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, and 100 steals
> RMU's opener against Point Park on Nov. 11 was a 10:00 a.m. tip and the first 2016-17 NCAA Division I women's game
> Robert Morris' future home, the UPMC Events Center, is slated to open in January of 2019

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