Women's Basketball | 3/7/2017 3:57:00 PM
GAME 31
#6 Central Connecticut (11-19, 9-9 NEC) at #1 Robert Morris (20-10, 14-4 NEC)
2017 Northeast Conference Tournament Semifinals
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 • 7:00 p.m.
Charles L. Sewall Center (3,056) • Moon Township, Pa.
Video: ESPN3 • NEC Front Row
On-Air Talent: Craig D'Amico (play-by-play), Pam Roecker (color commentary)
Radio: iHeart Radio App (only)
Talent: Adam Gusky (play-by-play), Justin Pyles (color commentary)
Twitter: @RMUWBasketball • Instagram: rmuwbasketball
Â
The Capsule
Robert Morris is set to take on sixth-seeded Central Connecticut on Wednesday, March 8 in the Northeast Conference Tournament semifinals - the Colonials' seventh semifinal berth in as many postseason appearances. The Colonials swept the regular season series against the Blue Devils, picking up a 55-46 win on Jan. 23 at the Charles L. Sewall Center before defeating CCSU in the Nutmeg State, 62-39, on Feb. 18.
Â
The Series vs. Central Connecticut
Robert Morris owns a 21-15 edge over Central Connecticut in the all-time series, thanks in part to a 16-3 record at home. The Colonials have won 14 consecutive meetings against the Blue Devils on their home floor, and are riding a current three-game winning streak in the series.
RMU in the Playoffs is…
> 17-2 in home contests
> 5-1 all-time as the #1 seed
> 7-1 all-time against the #6 seed
> 1-0 against CCSU in the postseason (W, 72-39 in 2005 quarterfinals)
> 9-5 in the NEC Tournament semifinals
Â
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.
Coach B Weekly
On the 16th episode of Coach B Weekly, head coach
Charlie Buscaglia discusses the following topics: RMU's run of seven NEC semifinals in as many postseason appearances, the defensive game plan against Fairleigh Dickinson, how
Shakema Dashiell and
Ja'lynn Burton-Jones stepped up in
Janee Brown's absence, Nadège Pluviose's performance off the bench, staying humble despite bringing home numerous awards from the NEC, and the key to victory against Central Connecticut.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
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)
Â
Starting Off On the Right Foot
One of the keys to Robert Morris' 15-4 record against NEC opponents this season has been its ability to get off to a fast start. Over the last 19 games, the Colonials have outscored their opponents in the first quarter, 302-201, which has given them an average cushion of 5.32 points entering the second frame.
Â
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 (.368), 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.
Chuck's Charms
The Charles L. Sewall Center, regularly referred to as 'The Chuck', has been a house of horrors for Robert Morris' opponents in its history. Since 2004-05, the Colonials have gone 142-41 (.776) at home and own a 97-20 (.829) mark in Northeast Conference contests.
Â
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 1,758 career points and has tallied a per-game average of 14.4 points during her time in Colonial blue and white.
Â
Lift Off
First-year head coach
Charlie Buscaglia now owns the winningest debut head coaching season in program history as his 20-10 record has surpassed Dan Swalga's 14-win campaign in 1978-79.
Â
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 201-146 (.579) over that span, reaching the 20-win mark in seven seasons.
Â
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 76 overall wins at RMU and 53 NEC victories, and helped guide the program to three 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 5-0 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
> The Colonials' NEC Tournament games will be the final ones at the Charles L. Sewall Center, as construction on the UPMC Events Center is set to begin this July
