Women's Basketball Returns Home Looking To Remain Perfect On Season As 17th-Ranked Skyhawks Set For Dogfight With Assumption In Northeast-10 Outing Tuesday Evening

January 10, 2006

2005-2006 Stonehill College Women's Basketball

5:30 p.m. EST

THE GAME: After matching its best start in 11 years, 17th-ranked Stonehill returns home looking to remain perfect on the season this evening as the Skyhawks square off with the Assumption Greyhounds in a Northeast-10 Conference match-up. Stonehill, which last won 13 straight to begin in a season during the 1994-95 NCAA Final Four campaign, enters tonight's action after posting a 92-80 Northeast-10 triumph over Bryant last Saturday afternoon at the Chace Athletic Center in Smithfield, R.I., as freshman Kelsey Simonds (Bridgewater, Mass./Cardinal Spellman) led four players in double figures with a career-high 25 points to go with nine rebounds and three blocked shots. Junior Kim Morast (Bridgewater, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) added a career-best 21-point effort as well for the Skyhawks that included four three-pointers, while junior Alisha Collins (Port Chester, N.Y./Trinity Catholic) chipped in with 16 points and six boards for the visitors, who also received 10 points from junior Tiffany Huggins (Stoughton, Mass./Brockton). Freshman Bethany Tighe (North Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames) came off the bench to score a career-best eight points for Stonehill, which also received eight assists and a career-high tying seven steals from sophomore Erika Stupinski (Topsham, Maine/Mount Ararat) as well as six points and eight rebounds from junior Caitlin Kennedy (Baldwin, N.Y./St. Francis Prep). Assumption enters tonight's action after posting a 63-44 Northeast-10 triumph over Bentley last Saturday afternoon at Laska Gymnasium in Worcester, Mass.

PLAYER AND FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Freshman Kelsey Simonds (Bridgewater, Mass./Cardinal Spellman) was named on Monday as the Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Week for the first time in her career and as the Northeast-10 Conference Freshman of the Week for the fourth time this season for her efforts in a pair of Stonehill victories last week. Simonds averaged 17 points, nine rebounds, 4.5 blocks and 1.5 steals on the week, including a career-high 25 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in a 92-80 triumph at Bryant to go with nine points, nine rebounds and a career-high tying six blocks in a 59-54 victory over 13th-ranked American International. Simonds shot 86 percent (12-14) from the foul line for the week.

HONOR ROLL HONOREE: Junior Kim Morast (Bridgewater, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) was named on Monday to the Northeast-10 Conference weekly honor roll for her efforts in a pair of Stonehill victories last week. Morast averaged 14 points and three assists in the two contests, including a career-high 21 points with four three-pointers in a 92-80 win at Bryant on Saturday.

LAST SEASON: Stonehill dropped both meetings with Assumption during the 2004-2005 season, as the Greyhounds notched an 87-73 victory on January 11, 2005 at Laska Gymnasium in Worcester, Mass. before posting a 61-51 triumph on February 21, 2005 here at Merkert Gymnasium. Rachael Wile had 14 points in the January Skyhawk setback, while Alisha Collins added 14 points in the February decision for Stonehill.

THE SERIES: Stonehill and Assumption are meeting for the 54th time this evening, and the Skyhawks hold a 39-14 edge over the Greyhounds in the all-time series between the two schools.

THE SKYHAWKS: Collins leads Stonehill in scoring at 17.8 ppg, while Simonds follows at 12 ppg and paces the Skyhawks on the boards at an even nine caroms per contest. Stupinski is next at 9.8 ppg while adding a league-leading six assists and 3.5 steals per game, while Kennedy is averaging 9.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for Stonehill.

THE GREYHOUNDS: Sophomore Charde Floyd leads Assumption in both scoring and rebounding at 11.6 ppg and 9.7 caroms per contest, while senior Kerry Milhaven adds 9.5 ppg for the Greyhounds to date.

HEAD COACH TRISHA BROWN: Trisha Brown is in her fifth season as Head Women's Basketball Coach at Stonehill College. A 1987 graduate of Harvard, Brown is just the third head coach in the 35-year history of varsity women's basketball at Stonehill, as she has posted an 85-44 (.659) mark during her tenure and led the Skyhawks to back-to-back NCAA appearances in 2003 and 2004. Brown, who helped lead Harvard to one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history when the Crimson knocked off top-seeded Stanford in the 1998 NCAA Division I first round, is assisted by Kelly Thompson (Springfield '02) and former Skyhawk standout Kaitlyn O'Malley (Stonehill '04). Brown, who collected her 75th career victory in Stonehill's 69-54 triumph over Adelphi on November 19th, is 2-6 during her career against Assumption.

HEAD COACH KERRY PHAYRE: Kerry Phayre is in her 10th season as Head Women's Basketball Coach at Assumption College. A 1983 graduate of Providence, Phayre has compiled an overall mark of 153-115 (.571) during her tenure with the Greyhounds, and she is assisted by Sue Cahill and Mike Roux. Phayre is 10-8 during her career against Stonehill.

LUCKY THIRTEEN: Stonehill's 13-0 start matches the Skyhawks' best since the 1994-95 NCAA Final Four team began that 30-win season under Paula Sullivan with 13 straight victories. Stonehill's current 13-game winning streak is its longest since that 13-game skein that lasted through mid-January 1995.

EIGHT IS GREAT: Stonehill's 8-0 Northeast-10 start is its best since the 1996-97 season, as the Skyhawks started conference play at 11-0 during that campaign en route to claiming the 1997 Northeast-10 tournament title.

THEY CALL IT THE STREAK: Stonehill's current 13-game winning streak matches the fourth longest skein in school history. The Skyhawks posted a school record 17-game winning streak during the 1994-95 Final Four campaign and added a 15-game winning streak during the 1986-87 season en route to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. Stonehill's best start ever came during the program's inaugural varsity campaign in 1971-72 with a perfect 14-0 slate during the year.

PULLING RANK: Last Thursday's victory over 13th-ranked American International was Stonehill's second of the year against a nationally-ranked opponent, as the Skyhawks bested then 11th-ranked Bentley by a 101-59 margin back on November 22nd.

RANK AND FILE: Stonehill moved up eight spots in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II National Poll this week, as after cracking the rankings at the #25 spot on December 20th, the Skyhawks are ranked 17th nationally, their highest spot since February 1998. Here is the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II Top 25 as of January 3rd:

RankInstitution (First Place Votes)Last Week's RankRecordPoints

1.Washburn University (Kan.) (22)113-0598

2.University of North Dakota - Grand Forks (2)216-0575

3.Emporia State University (Kan.)413-0539

4.Drury University (Mo.)311-1522

5.University Of Charleston (W.Va.)510-0508

6.Saint Cloud State University (Minn.)614-0485

7.Glenville State College (W.Va.)98-0416

8.Henderson State University (Ark.)810-1399

9.Western Washington University 79-1381

10.Grand Valley State University (Mich.)1011-2380

11.Rollins College (Fla.)139-0336

12.California State University - Chico128-1316

13.American International College (Mass.)1611-0306

14.West Texas A&M University 159-1281

15.Lake Superior State University (Mich.)179-2225

16.Florida Gulf Coast University 2014-1178

17.Stonehill College (Mass.)2511-0169

18.Delta State University (Miss.)NR11-0155

19.Saint Augustine's College (N.C.)249-1148

20.University Of Minnesota-Duluth 1913-2138

21.Valdosta State University (Ga.)118-3123

22.Angelo State University (Texas)228-2109

23.California State University - BakersfieldNR8-193

24.Fairmont State University (W.Va.)237-193

25.Seattle Pacific University (Wash.)147-459

Dropped Out: Central Missouri State University, Carson-Newman College (Tenn.).

Others Receiving Votes: Clayton College & State University - Morrow 58; Missouri Western State - Saint Joseph 42; North Carolina Central University - Durham 38; Central Missouri State University - Warrensburg 32; Fort Valley State University - Fort Valley 17; Presbyterian College - Clinton 14; Shaw University - Raleigh 14; Pace University - Pleasantville 9; Regis University - Denver 9; Wingate University - Wingate 8; Tusculum College - Greeneville 7; Southern Conn. St. University - New Haven 6; Michigan Tech. University - Houghton 3; Saint Michael's College - Colchester 2; University Of Central Arkansas - Conway 2; Wayne State College - Wayne 2; Wheeling Jesuit University - Wheeling 2; Carson-Newman College - Jefferson City 1; North Georgia College & State University - Dahlonega 1; Ouachita Baptist University - Arkadelphia 1.

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE, DOUBLE YOUR FUN: The December 19th win over Saginaw Valley State enabled Stonehill to reach the double-digit plateau in the victory column for the 29th straight season. The Skyhawks reached the 10-win mark before the turn of the New Year for the first time since December 1994.

COACH OF THE MONTH: Stonehill Head Coach Trisha Brown was recognized by Division II Women's Bulletin as the Division II Coach of the Month for her efforts in guiding the Skyhawks to a 6-0 start this season. Included in those six triumphs was a 101-59 victory over then 11th-ranked Bentley, as Stonehill has won 19 of 20 games played during the month of November under Brown's tutelage dating back to 2001.

NON-CONFERENCE NUMBERS: Stonehill is 22-2 (.917) in non-conference play during Trisha Brown's five-year tenure as head coach, including a 5-0 mark this season.

THE CENTURY MARK: The November 22nd 101-point effort in the win over Bentley marked the first time that Stonehill had scored 100 or more points in a game since January 24, 1995 when the Skyhawks notched a school-record 109 points in a 109-45 victory at Assumption.

BEHIND THE BENTLEY NUMBERS: Stonehill's 58-first half points in the November 22nd win over Bentley ranks as the second highest first-half total in school history, topped only by a 61-point effort in the opening 20 minutes against Springfield during the 1992-93 season. The Skyhawks' 15 three-pointers also ranks as the second highest single-game total in school history, as Stonehill has canned 17 three-pointers on two occasions.

MILESTONE VICTORIES: The November 18th 69-60 victory over Molloy was the 650th win in the 35-year history of Stonehill women's basketball, as the Skyhawks have amassed an overall mark of 661-252 (.724) since the program's varsity inception in 1971. The November 19th 69-54 win over Adelphi was the 75th career triumph for Head Coach Trisha Brown.

THE DEFENSE NEVER RESTS: Stonehill is now 54-1 in its last 55 contests when holding an opponent to 59 or fewer points after last Thursday's victory over 13th-ranked American International, a streak that dates back to February 2001.

CONFERENCE RANK AND FILE: In statistics through games of January 9th, Stonehill leads the Northeast-10 in scoring offense (76.1 ppg), field goal percentage (.463), assists (17.54 apg) and three-point field goals made (6.62 3fgpg) while ranking second in rebounding margin (+ 7.2), blocked shots (4.85 bpg) and steals (10.69 spg). Alisha Collins ranks second in the conference in scoring at 17.8 ppg, while Erika Stupinski leads the league in assists (6.00 apg), steals (3.46 spg) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.90). Kelsey Simonds leads the Northeast-10 in defensive rebounds (6.31 drpg) while ranking second in rebounding (9.0 rpg) and blocked shots (2.31 bpg).

NCAA RANK AND FILE: Stonehill fares well in several NCAA Division II national team and individual statistics categories in games played through January 1st. The Skyhawks were tied for first in won-lost percentage, sixth in field goal percentage, 22nd in rebounding margin, 27th in scoring margin, 30th in scoring offense, 36th in three-point field goal percentage and 43rd in both free throw percentage and three-point field goals made per game. Alisha Collins ranked 30th in points per game and 47th in field goal percentage, while Erika Stupinski was ranked 17th in assists per game and 21st in steals per game. Kelsey Simonds was ranked 32nd nationally in blocks per game as of New Year's Day.

AYE, AYE CAPTAINS: Seniors Bethany Roderigue (Winslow, Maine/Winslow) and Barbara Dauplaise (Brockton, Mass./Brockton) have been named as co-captains for the 2005-2006 edition of Stonehill Women's Basketball. Roderigue averaged 4.4 points per game and led the Skyhawks with 28 three-pointers last season, while Dauplaise averaged 2.2 points per game and chipped in with 11 three-pointers.

THE ALL-TIME VICTORIES LIST: Stonehill ranks 10th among all NCAA Division II women's basketball programs in both all-time victories and all-time winning percentage. The Skyhawks entered the 2005-2006 campaign with 648 wins and a .720 winning percentage. Here is the list of the top 10 Division II women's basketball programs of all-time:

TOTAL VICTORIESWINNING PERCENTAGE

1.Delta State8321.Bentley.812

2.Cal Poly Pomona7432.Arkansas Tech.797

3.Bentley7403.Pitt-Johnstown.795

4.Arkansas Tech7064.Delta State.789

5.Central Missouri State7035.Cal Poly Pomona.779

6.East Strodusburg6936.West Texas A&M.766

7.Northern State6787.Northern State.759

8.Lincoln Memorial6588.Central Missouri State.725

9.Francis Marion6569.North Dakota.724

10.STONEHILL 64810.STONEHILL .720

TWENTY-TWENTY VISION: Stonehill reached the 20-win plateau for the second time in Trisha Brown's three-year tenure as head coach and for the 17th time in the program's illustrious 34-year history in 2003-2004. The Skyhawks have won 20 or more games on nine occasions since 1991, including a school-record 30 victories during the 1994-95 campaign. Brown and former Stonehill mentor Kelly Hart have each recorded a pair of 20-win seasons on the bench, as Skyhawk Director of Athletics Paula Sullivan won 20 or more games on 15 occasions during her 25-year tenure as Stonehill's head coach.

THIRTY-FOUR IN A ROW, LOOK AT EM GO: Stonehill has posted 34 straight winning campaigns after last year's 14-win season, a streak that dates back to the program's inception in 1971. The Skyhawks recorded 25 of those winning campaigns during current Director of Athletics Paula Sullivan's tenure as head coach, and former Stonehill mentor Kelly Hart carried that streak to 30 seasons before Trisha Brown took over in 2001.

HOME SWEET HOME: Merkert Gymnasium has certainly provided a distinct home court advantage for Stonehill, as the Skyhawks amassed an incredible mark of 114-18 (.864) at home during the 1990's. Over the last 11 seasons alone, Stonehill is 140-35 (.800) at Merkert Gymnasium.

THE .700 CLUB: Stonehill has posted a 70-30 mark in its last 100 outings dating back to November 2002 for a winning percentage over that time span of an even .700.

SKYHAWK TALK: Saturday's triumph at Bryant was Stonehill's 42nd in 58 series meetings with the BulldogsLast Thursday's victory over 13th-ranked American International was Stonehill's 44th in 58 series meetings with the Yellow Jackets and ended a nine-game AIC win streak in the series that dated back to the 1999-2000 seasonThe January 2nd triumph at Merrimack was Stonehill's 49th win in 56 all-time series meetings with the Warriors The December 5th win at LIU-C.W. Post improved Stonehill's all-time mark against New York Collegiate Athletic Conference foes to 34-5 (.872), as the Skyhawks have also bested NYCAC foes Molloy (69-60) and Adelphi (69-54) this season Stonehill has won six straight in the series with Saint Anselm and five straight in the series with Saint Michael's dating back to January 2002Collins became the first Skyhawk to score 30 points in a game in the win over Bentley since Kristen McDonnell turned the trick on January 20, 2003 at PaceAfter scoring 55 points for the game in the last meeting between the two teams last January, Stonehill tallied 58 points in the opening half of the November 22nd triumph over BentleyThe Skyhawks became the third team ever to reach the 100-point plateau against the Falcons The November 19th win over Adelphi was the Skyhawks' eighth triumph in as many meetings with the PanthersStonehill has won all five of its season openers under Brown's tutelage Stonehill has posted 3-0 starts in each of its five campaigns under Brown, who has compiled an 19-1 (.950) mark during the month of November.

SKYHAWKS ON THE WEB: For the second straight season, Stonehill basketball can be accessed on the world wide web through Free Teamline, a service of TRZ Sports of Kent, Ohio. A total of 16 Skyhawk regular season women's basketball broadcasts will be available throughout the 2005-2006 season via Free Teamline by accessing the official Stonehill Athletics website at www.stonehillskyhawks.com, powered by Presto Sports. Returning to call all of action of Stonehill basketball once again this winter is the tandem of Charlie Bergeron and Brian Buckley, who have served as the voices of Skyhawk Basketball since 1998.

WHO'S NEXT: Stonehill heads to Colchester, Vt. on Saturday, January 14th for a Northeast-10 showdown with Saint Michael's at the Ross Sports Center that tips-off at 1:30 p.m. EST. The Skyhawks return home on Monday, January 16th to entertain Saint Anselm in a Northeast-10 affair here at Merkert Gymnasium that begins at 5:30 p.m. EST.