In her first season with the Skyhawks, Emily Rousseau is leading Stonehill in scoring (14.8), assists (4.4), steals (1.6) and is first in the Northeast-10 in three-point percentage (.483).

Portland Press Herald: Rousseau Finding Perfect Fit

By Mike Lowe, Staff Writer

Sometimes it's simply a matter of balance.

Emily Rousseau, the former Biddeford High standout, has found hers at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass.

Rousseau, a sophomore point guard, played her freshman season at the University of Maine where she had a very good season, but she often was overwhelmed by the responsibilities of trying to play Division I basketball while maintaining balance in her academic and social life.

So she transferred from Maine to Division II Stonehill, and the fit has been perfect.

"I think this is a great level of competition for me," said Rousseau. "I like everything about it here. I love the school, the campus; I love my team; I love my coach."

Rousseau is Stonehill's second-leading scorer (14.5 points a game) while leading the team in assists (66) and steals (25). She is second in minutes played (31.9) and has hit 50 percent of her 3-pointers (28 of 56).

"She's been a tremendous addition to us, on the court and off" said Coach Trisha Brown, whose team is 13-2 and ranked fourth in the nation while leading the Northeast-10 Conference. "She's a phenomenal player who has added to our chemistry."

Brown knew of Rousseau, who averaged 8.1 points and 3.0 rebounds for the Black Bears. But she really didn't know how good Rousseau was.

"I didn't know how quickly she would make an impact on our program," Brown said. "She stepped right into the impact role. And I didn't know how good a shooter she was."

Rousseau admitted she feels less pressure at Stonehill. Being from Maine, everyone knew who she was at Orono and the expectations were high. She struggled with the commitment needed to play Division I. "After the year at Maine, I just wanted to be happy," she said. "I didn't care if it was Division I or Division II, I just wanted to be where I was happy. And the competition really isn't that much different."

Coincidentally, Rousseau replaced another Mainer - Topsham's Erika Stupinski - as point guard. Stupinski graduated last spring with 244 career assists, second best in school history. Rousseau is a different type of point guard, with the ability to take control of a game with her scoring.

"She is really unselfish and likes to create for others," said Brown. "But she has done a great job scoring, especially in pressure situations. She is just fearless.

"When a big shot needs to be taken, she's going to take it. She shoots a great pull-up jumper, which you don't see often."

Rousseau knows her role and works hard at it.

"Obviously, as a point guard you need to make sure you get everyone involved, get them their shots and their touches," said Rousseau, who is a business major. "I also have a scoring mentality. I always have. That's the way I play."

She graduated as Biddeford's all-time leading scorer with 1,554 points. But, she said, the points come in the flow of the game.

"I just kind of play and take what the defense gives me," she said. "I don't think when I'm coming down the floor whether I'm going to shoot or whether I'm going to pass. I take what the defense gives me."

As good as Stonehill is playing, Rousseau said the Skyhawks can be even better.

"I hope by the end of the season we can put it all together," she said. "Our goal is a national championship."

Brown said Rousseau is one of three former Division I players on her roster.

"I think any (Division II) coach will tell you that we're getting more calls in the spring than we used to from kids who thought they wanted to play Division I," she said.

The next question for that student, said Brown, "is whether the new program is a good fit for them -- academically, the style of the program, the team and the coach. If the kids do their research, the transition can be seamless."

As it has been for Rousseau.