Women's Basketball | 3/16/2017 12:47:00 PM

GAME 33
#16 Robert Morris (22-10, 14-4 NEC) at #1 Notre Dame (30-3, 15-1 ACC)
2017 NCAA Tournament First Round
Friday, March 17, 2017 • 7:30 p.m.
Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center (9,149) • Notre Dame, Ind.

TV: ESPN2
On-Air Talent: Paul Sunderland (play-by-play), Mike Thibault (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
Robert Morris returns to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in program history, third time in four seasons, and second consecutive year when it takes on #1 seed Notre Dame in a First Round game at Purcell Pavilion in Notre Dame, Ind. on Friday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2. The Colonials previously played in the NCAA Tournament in 2007, 2008, 2014, and 2016.
 


NEC Championship Notes
RMU has won NEC championships in 1988, 1991, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2016, and 2017. The Colonials have made four consecutive conference championships and are 7-3 all-time in 10 title game appearances.

The Series vs. Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish are a familiar opponent for the Robert Morris senior class as the two teams matched up in Toledo, Ohio for the First Round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Notre Dame, who entered that contest with a 32-0 overall record, defeated the Colonials, 93-42, in what is the only previous meeting between the two teams.
 
NEC Honor Roll
Anna Niki Stamolamprou captured her second straight NEC Tournament MVP award after averaging 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals over the Colonials' three-game stretch. Megan Smith joined Stamolamprou on the All-Tournament Team, averaging 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in the postseason. In addition, Robert Morris brought home the following NEC awards prior to the tournament.
> Anna Niki Stamolamprou (NEC Player of the Year, All-NEC First Team)
> Charlie Buscaglia (Brenda Reilly NEC Coach of the Year)
> Megan Smith (All-NEC Third Team)
> Nneka Ezeigbo (All-NEC Rookie Team)

Coach B Weekly
In the 18th episode of Coach B Weekly, head coach Charlie Buscaglia discusses the following topics: the feeling going into the 2017 NCAA Tournament compared to the first appearance in 2007 as an assistant coach, comparing this year's Notre Dame team to the one the Colonials faced in the 2014 NCAA First Round, the message heading into the NEC Championship Game, Anna Niki Stamolamprou's performance in big games, how this team stacks up to others that have won the NEC Tournament, and a preview of Friday's tilt with the Fighting Irish.



Chuck's Last Dance
Since 1985, the Charles L. Sewall Center, better known as 'The Chuck', has served as the home of the Robert Morris men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball teams. The Colonials closed the doors on 'The Chuck' in its final game with a 65-52 victory over Bryant on Sunday. RMU's new home, the UPMC Events Center, is scheduled from construction this July and is set to open in January of 2019.
 
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 (56.3) and field goal defense (.367), 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.
 
Block Party
Mikalah Mulrain (4) and Nneka Ezeigbo (3) combined for seven of Robert Morris' season-high nine blocks in its 65-52 victory over Bryant in Sunday's NEC Championship Game. Mulrain currently sits second all-time at RMU with 133 rejections, while Ezeigbo tallied a career-high five blocks on Dec. 4 against Howard.
 
Nationally Known
For the eighth time in the last 11 seasons, Robert Morris will play in a national tournament. In 2007 and 2008, the Colonials took part in the NCAA Tournament. A Preseason WNIT berth followed in 2008-09 along with a Postseason WNIT appearance in 2009-10. The 2011-12 season ended with the top seed in the Women's Basketball Invitational before RMU returned to the Big Dance in 2014, 2016, and this season.
 
Starting Off On the Right Foot
One of the keys to Robert Morris' 17-4 record against NEC opponents this season has been its ability to get off to a fast start. Over the last 21 games, the Colonials have outscored their opponents, 336-228, 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.
 
Perennial Playoff Potential
Robert Morris participated 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 was the third time that the Colonials entered 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 50.6 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 16.5 points per game in her final hurrah and surpassed Laura Lindak (1989-94) for second place in the program's all-time scoring list on Jan. 30 at Saint Francis U. Stamolamprou now has 1,796 career points and has tallied a per-game average of 14.5 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 22-10 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 five tournament titles. The Colonials have gone 203-146 (.582) 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 78 overall wins at RMU and 53 NEC victories, and helped guide the program to four trips to the NEC Championship Game, three NEC titles, and a pair of NEC regular season crowns.
 
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 are 22-0 in such situations during the 2016-17 campaign. All-time, RMU is 537-0 when leading at the final whistle.

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 reached the 20-win mark for the 10th time in program history and seventh time in the last 13 seasons
> Robert Morris is 6-0 when scoring 70+ points and 10-0 in contests where the team allows fewer than 50 points
> RMU's senior class (Brown, Navarro, Stamolamprou) has been a part of 78 overall victories and 53 NEC wins, and have played in four NEC Championship Games, won three NEC Tournament titles, and two NEC regular season crowns
> 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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