Dec. 28, 2009

Bronx, N.Y. - The third annual Fordham Holiday Classic gets underway on Monday, as Fordham hosts Binghamton, while East Carolina takes on UMBC. Day two will feature Fordham against UMBC, with East Carolina facing UMBC. Follow all the action at the Fordham Holiday Classic Central Page.

This is the first appearance for UMBC, East Carolina, and Binghamton at the Fordham Holiday Classic.

Fordham looks to go over the .500 mark in the Classic, after winning both contests last season against Norfolk State and Bryant.

SCOUTING DAY ONE GAMES:

FORDHAM VS. BINGHAMTON: |

Binghamton has a 2-8 record through their first ten games, averaging 58.1 points, while allowing close to 65 a game. They are coached by Nicole Scholl, who is in her second season with a record of 16-25.

On the floor, Erica Carter leads the offense at 14.9 points a contest, shooting over 50% from three-point range (39-77), while Andrea Holmes runs the point. Holmes is averaging 6.0 assists per game to go along with an 11.9 scoring average. Jackie Ward rounds out the Bearcats' top scorers at 11.9 points per game.

Fordham is 6-5 overall, having dropped their last two games after winning four in a row. The Rams are under the direction of head coach Cathy Andruzzi who is in her fourth season at Fordham.

The Rams have four players ranked in the top 25 scorers in the Atlantic 10 this season, led by Randall Hurst at 15.1 points a game, which is fourth in the conference. Becky Peters (11.7), Katie Vican (11.1), and Tiffany Stokes (10.3) are also averaging in double figures this season.

EAST CAROLINA vs. UMBC:

UMBC has a 4-6 record through their opening ten contests, averaging about 65 points a game, while allowing 68 a game. The Retrievers are coached by Phil Stern, who is in his eighth season with a record of 84-133.

On the court, Michelle Kurowski has been the top offensive option, averaging a team-best 16.5 points and 8.3 rebounds a game , while shooting 83.3% from the free throw line (45-54). She also leads the team with 27 assists and 16 steals. Carlee Cassidy and Megan Colabella are also averaging in double figures at 11.8 and 10.6 points, respectively.

East Carolina has the best mark of any of the four teams in the Classic at 10-1 this season. The Pirates are coached by

On the court, the Pirates are averaging almost 75 points a game, while allowing just a shade over 60 a contest.

East Carolina has a fairly balanced scoring attack with six players averaging at least seven points a game, led by Ashley Clarke at 13.5 ppg and Allison Spivey at 10.5 ppg.