Women's Basketball Hits Road Looking To Continue Best Start Ever Thursday Evening As 11th-Ranked Skyhawks Put 16-0 Mark On Line With Northeast-10 Test At LeMoyne

January 18, 2006

2005-2006 Stonehill College Women's Basketball

5:30 p.m. EST

THE GAME: Stonehill hits the road looking to continue its best start ever this evening as the 11th-ranked Skyhawks take on the LeMoyne Dolphins in a Northeast-10 Conference encounter. Stonehill enters tonight's action after claiming its "sweet sixteenth" victory of the season with a 69-63 Northeast-10 triumph over Saint Anselm on Monday evening at Merkert Gymnasium, as freshman Kelsey Simonds (Bridgewater, Mass./Cardinal Spellman) led three players in double figures with 17 points, five rebounds and four steals. Junior Alisha Collins (Port Chester, N.Y./Trinity Catholic) added 16 points and seven caroms for the Skyhawks, who also received 11 points, six rebounds and six assists from sophomore Erika Stupinski (Topsham, Maine/Mount Ararat) as well as six points and five boards from junior Caitlin Kennedy (Baldwin, N.Y./St. Francis Prep). Junior Kim Morast (Bridgewater, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) recorded five steals for the winners, who scored 26 points off of 29 Hawk turnovers en route to the triumph, as Stonehill's 16 straight victories marks the third longest winning streak in school history. LeMoyne enters tonight's action after dropping a 60-54 Northeast-10 decision to Merrimack on Monday afternoon at the Volpe Complex in North Andover, Mass.

HONOR ROLL HONOREE: Junior Alisha Collins (Port Chester, N.Y./Trinity Catholic) was named on Monday to the Northeast-10 Conference weekly honor roll for her efforts in a pair of Stonehill victories last week. Collins, the conference's leading scorer, averaged 20 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in the two contests, including 20 points and seven boards in a 67-64 triumph at Saint Michael's to go with 20 points and six rebounds in a 61-58 win over Assumption. Collins, who scored the deciding field goal in both games, also shot 73 percent from the foul line.

LAST MEETING: Stonehill and LeMoyne last met on December 3, 2005 at Merkert Gymnasium, and the Skyhawks posted an 84-74 victory over the Dolphins. Alisha Collins led the way with 23 points and eight rebounds in the win for Stonehill, which also received 12 points from Kim Morast as well as 10 points and six caroms from Caitlin Kennedy. Kelsey Simonds chipped in with nine points and six rebounds as well on the afternoon for the Skyhawks.

THE SERIES: Stonehill and LeMoyne are meeting for the 19th time this evening, and the Skyhawks hold a 13-5 advantage over the Dolphins in the all-time series between the schools.

THE SKYHAWKS: Collins leads Stonehill and the Northeast-10 in scoring at 17.9 ppg while adding 5.8 rpg, while Simonds follows at 11.4 ppg and 8.3 caroms per contest. Stupinski is next at 9.5 ppg and leads the Northeast-10 in both assists (6.1 apg) and steals (3.0 spg), while Kennedy adds 9.4 ppg and 6.3 rpg. Morast is averaging 8.1 ppg for the Skyhawks to date.

THE DOLPHINS: Sophomore Kim Wagoner leads LeMoyne in scoring at 15 ppg, while senior Ann Belforti follows at 11.4 ppg. Freshman Vanessa Holden is next at 7.8 ppg, while junior Lindsay Ellis paces the Dolphins on the boards at 6.5 caroms per contest.

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 88-44 (.667) 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 6-1 during her career against LeMoyne.

HEAD COACH JEANNE DUPREE: Jeanne Dupree is in her sixth season as Head Women's Basketball Coach at LeMoyne College. A 1995 LeMoyne graduate, Dupree has guided her alma mater to an overall mark of 68-88 (.436) during her tenure, while her career collegiate mark in eight seasons stands at 93-111 (.456). Dupree, who is assisted by Frank Netti and Joi Jefferson, is 2-7 during her career against Stonehill.

AND THEY'RE OFF: To the best start in the 35-year history of Stonehill women's basketball, as the Skyhawks' 16-0 mark out of the gate surpassed the 1971-72 squad's 14-0 mark set during the inaugural varsity year in program history.

ELEVENTH HEAVEN: Stonehill's 11-0 Northeast-10 start is its best since the 1996-97 season, as the Skyhawks also 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 16-game winning streak is the third longest such skein in school history, as the 1993-94 Elite Eight Skyhawk squad won 19 straight after dropping its opener to post the longest win streak in the program's history. The 1994-95 NCAA Final Four squad has the second longest winning skein at 17 straight, as Stonehill won its first 13 before dropping a contest and then winning 17 straight en route to the Final Four.

MEET IT, BEAT IT: Stonehill has already surpassed its entire win total of last season, as the Skyhawks collected 14 triumphs during the 2004-2005 campaign.

NOT JUST ANOTHER FACE IN THE CROWD: Kelsey Simonds is featured in Sports Illustrated's "Faces In The Crowd" column in this week's issue with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck on the cover. Simonds was honored by Sports Illustrated after being selected as the Northeast-10 Freshman of the Week on four occasions this season, and she becomes the fourth Stonehill student-athlete to be honored with selection in "Faces In The Crowd", as women's lacrosse All-America performers Katie Lambert '03 and Lauren Stone '06, along with ice hockey standout Rob Pascale '04, have also appeared in the Sports Illustrated column over the last three years alone.

PULLING RANK: The January 5th victory over 16th-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 is ranked 11th in this week's USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II national poll for the second straight week, as the Skyhawks' current national ranking is its highest since March 1995. Here is the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II Top 25 as of January 17th:

RankInstitution (First Place Votes)Last Week's RankRecordPoints

1.Washburn University (Kan.) (23)116-0598

2.University of North Dakota - Grand Forks (2)220-0577

3.Emporia State University (Kan.)316-1547

4.Saint Cloud State University (Minn.)517-0516

5.Drury University (Mo.)414-1501

6.Glenville State College (W.Va.)612-0485

7.University Of Charleston (W.Va.)714-1434

8.Henderson State University (Ark.)815-1422

9.Western Washington University 913-1398

10.Rollins College (Fla.)1013-0388

11.Stonehill College (Mass.)1116-0378

12.California State University - Chico1211-2289

13.Grand Valley State University (Mich.)1614-3267

14.Florida Gulf Coast University 1516-1266

15.Delta State University (Miss.)1814-1239

16.American International College (Mass.)1313-2238

17.West Texas A&M University 1712-2223

18.Lake Superior State University (Mich.)1412-3209

19.California State University - Bakersfield1912-1198

20.University Of Minnesota-Duluth2016-3131

21.Clayton State University (Ga.)2311-288

22.Valdosta State University (Ga.)2212-466

23.Fort Valley State University (Ga.)NR13-158

24.Angelo State University (Texas)2111-451

25.Fairmont State University (W.Va.)2512-243

Dropped Out: Saint Augustine's College (N.C.)

Others Receiving Votes: Southern Conn. St. University - 35; Saint Augustine's College (N.C.) - 28; Wingate University - (N.C.) 18; Wayne State College (Neb.) - 16; University Of California-San Diego - 13; North Carolina Central University - 11; Seattle Pacific University (Wash.) - 11; Shaw University (N.C.) - 11; Missouri Western State - 10; Northern Kentucky University - 10; North Georgia College & State University - 8; Regis University (Colo.) - 5; University Of Missouri - Rolla 3; University Of West Florida - 3; Michigan Tech. University - 2; Presbyterian College (S.C.) - 2; University Of Central Arkansas - 2; Bentley College (Mass.) -1; Saint Michael's College (Vt.) - 1.

THIRTY-FIVE IN A ROW, LOOK AT EM GO: With the January 10th triumph over Assumption, Stonehill has now posted 35 straight winning campaigns, a streak that dates back to the program's inception in 1971. The Skyhawks recorded 25 of those winning seasons 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.

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.

THE DEFENSE NEVER RESTS: Stonehill is now 55-1 in its last 56 contests when holding an opponent to 59 or fewer points after the January 10th victory over Assumption, a streak that dates back to February 2001.

CONFERENCE RANK AND FILE: In statistics through games of January 15th, Stonehill leads the Northeast-10 in scoring (74.5 ppg), field goal percentage (.454) and assists (17.07 apg), and the Skyhawks rank second in three-point field goal percentage (.356), rebounding margin (+ 6.9), blocked shots (4.73 bpg), and three point field goals made (6.33). Alisha Collins leads the conference in scoring at 18.1 ppg, while Erika Stupinski leads the league in assists (6.07), steals (3.20) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.86). Kelsey Simonds leads the Northeast-10 in defensive rebounds (5.93) and ranks second in blocked shots (2.07).

NCAA RANK AND FILE: Stonehill also ranks in several team and individual categories among NCAA Division II national statistical leaders through games of January 15th, as the Skyhawks are tied for first in won-lost percentage, 17th in field goal percentage, 30th in scoring margin, 31st in scoring offense, 33rd in rebounding margin, 42nd in three-point field goal percentage and 47th in three point field goals made per game. Individually, Alisha Collins ranks 35th in scoring, while Erika Stupinski is 14th in assists and 21st in steals. Kelsey Simonds ranks 29th in blocked shots.

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.

HIGH SCORING HALVES: Following last Saturday's second half effort at Saint Michael's, Stonehill has scored 46 or more points in a half of play on seven occasions this season, with the high-water mark coming on November 22nd with 58 first-half points against Bentley.

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 664-252 (.725) 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.

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 Stroudsburg6936.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.

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 142-35 (.802) at Merkert Gymnasium.

THE .700 (PLUS) CLUB: Stonehill has posted a 73-30 mark in its last 103 outings dating back to November 2002 for a winning percentage over that time span of .709.

IN GOOD COMPANY: Stonehill has the distinction of being one of two schools nationally to have both its women's and men's basketball teams ranked in the top 11 nationally in Division II, as the Skyhawk men cracked the top 10 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches rankings on January 10th for the first time in school history, advancing 14 spots to the #10 position in the poll. Stonehill and Western Washington are the only two Division II schools that can claim both its women's and men's teams in the top 11.

SKYHAWK TALK: Monday's win over Saint Anselm was Stonehill's seventh straight over the Hawks and 44th in 63 series meetings between the teamsStonehill has now won 39 of 47 series meetings with Saint Michael's following last Saturday's triumph, and the Skyhawks have won six straight over the Purple Knights since January 2002The January 10th win over Assumption was Stonehill's 40th in 54 series meetings with the GreyhoundsThe January 7th triumph at Bryant was Stonehill's 42nd in 58 series meetings with the BulldogsThe January 2nd victory over 16th-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 season The December 5th win at LIU-C.W. Post improved Stonehill's all-time mark against New York Collegiate Athletic Cofnerence opponents to 34-5 (.872), as the Skyhawks have also bested NYCAC foes St. Thomas Aquinas, Molloy and Adelphi this seasonCollins 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 Pace The Skyhawks became the third team ever to reach the 100-point plateau against BentleyStonehill 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 returns home on Saturday, January 21st to entertain two-time defending NCAA Northeast Regional champion Merrimack in a Northeast-10 outing at Merkert Gymnasium that begins at 1:30 p.m. EST.