Brooklyn, N.Y. - The Saint Francis women's basketball team (5-9, 2-0 NEC) begins NEC road action in New York this week at LIU Brooklyn on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. and St. Francis Brooklyn on Monday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m.
Scouting LIU Brooklyn
The Blackbirds (1-12, 0-2 NEC) have struggled so far this season with its only win coming against Lafayette, 55-50, on December 29. Freshman guard Brandy Thomas has provided a spark for a young LIU Brooklyn team and has won Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week three times this season. Jeydah Johnson leads LIU in scoring with 14.0 points per game, while Thomas is averaging 11.8 ppg. Thomas also spearheads the Blackbirds' rebounding efforts with 10.4 boards per contest, which ranks second in the NEC. Tia Montagne leads the team and is fourth in the NEC in assists with 3.25 dimes per outing.
Series History
Saint Francis leads the all-time series 47-17 with the Red Flash winning the last seven meetings. SFU holds a 17-12 record when playing on the road at LIU Brooklyn.
Scouting St. Francis Brooklyn
The Terriers (8-6, 2-0 NEC) own the best overall record in the league and are one of four teams to open conference play 2-0. Jade Johnson, a Preseason All-NEC selection, leads St. Francis Brooklyn and is fourth in the NEC in scoring with 18.1 ppg. Johnson's 3.1 three-pointers per game are second in the league, behind only Jess Kovatch (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg). Amy O'Neill has been a stalwart for the Terriers as she leads the conference in assists (7.9 apg) and minutes played per game (36.0). The Terriers will face Robert Morris on Saturday afternoon before squaring off with the Red Flash on Monday evening.
Series History
The Red Flash lead the all-time series 43-17 and have won the last six meetings over the Terriers. Saint Francis U holds a 18-11 record when playing on the road at St. Francis College.
Kovatch chasing down more milestones
Kovatch, the league's all-time leading scorer (2,453 career points) and three-point shooter (402 career three-pointers), is climbing the record books in other statistical categories. She sits in third place in Saint Francis history in field goals made (830) and needs only two field goals to pass both Beth Swink and Jess Zinobile for first place all-time.
Red Flash look to continue win streak to open NEC play
Saint Francis is hoping for a second straight 4-0 start to open Northeast Conference play this season. The Red Flash also opened last season with four wins, which is the most to start conference play since winning five straight to start NEC action in the 2010-11 season.
