Dec. 11, 2010
Monmouth Game Notes | WFUV Audio | Live Video | GameTracker | Follow on Twitter
Bronx, N.Y. -
The Fordham women's basketball team looks for its third straight win on Saturday, as the team hosts the Monmouth University Hawks at the Rose Hill Gym.
The game will be the third consecutive contest for the Rams against a New Jersey based school, having defeated St. Peter's and Rider in the last two games. Fordham will have a tough task against Monmouth, which has won its last five games, including a 56-43 decision against Central Connecticut State on Thursday night.
Among common opponents, both Fordham and Monmouth have faced Stony Brook and St. Peter's this season, with the Rams and Hawks coming away with wins in each of those games.
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the 11th all-time meeting between Fordham and Monmouth, with the Hawks holding a 6-4 series advantage. The two teams have not met since the 2007-08 season, during the 2007 Miami Thanksgiving tournament in Coral Gables, Florida. Monmouth has won each of the last three meetings. The last Fordham win in the series came in 1993 at the Wildcat Christmas Classic, held at Villanova.
SCOUTING MONMOUTH: The Hawks are 6-2 this season, and on a five-game win streak heading into Saturday. The Hawks are coached by Stephanie Gaitley, who is in her third season with Monmouth, posting a 40-29 record.
The Hawks have had a consistent starting point, starting the same line-up in each of their eight games. Alysha Womack is Monmouth's top scorer this season at 13.4 ppg, while also leading the team with 16 steals. Erin Rooney is averaging just under ten points a game, and is still perfect from the free throw line, hitting all 20 of her attempts. Alexis Canady and Abby Martin are tied for the team lead in rebounding at 6.8 per game, with Canady having a team-high 22 assists.
GARDEN STATE vs. EMPIRE STATE: With today's game against Monmouth, Fordham looks to make it a clean sweep against teams from the Garden State of New Jersey. Fordham has already defeated New Jersey universities Fairleigh Dickinson, St. Peter's and Rider this season.
HOME SWEET HOME: For the second straight year, Fordham has opened the season with a 3-0 record at the Rose Hill Gym. Over the last 30 years (since 1980-81), the Rams' best start at home was 7-0 in the 1983-84 season.
HITTING THE GLASS: One of the biggest improvements for the Rams this season has been the team's work on the glass. Fordham has outrebounded its opponent in six of ten contests this season. The Rams have five players averaging at least 4.3 rebounds per game, led by Tiffany Stokes at 7.2 per game.
Fordham won the rebounding battle only nine times in 30 games a year ago.
GREAT START: The Fordham Rams are out to a 4-1 start for the first time in 14 years, on the strength on an early four-game win streak. One of the biggest reasons has been the consistency of the offense. Fordham has scored at least 60 points in nine of its first ten games for the first time, since the 1990-91 season.
The Rams also have balance on offense with three players averaging in double figures.
FROM NEW YORK, THIS IS 20-20: Already through eight games this season, the Fordham Rams have had four different players break the 20-point barrier in a game, surpassing last year's total through 30 games.
Kristina Bell got the ball rolling with her first career 20-point game, posting a career-high 22 against Elon University. The following night, senior Caitlin Shadbolt matched that total with her first 20-point game, scoring 22 points against Stony Brook, while fellow senior Tiffany Stokes netted 21 points for her third career 20-point game. Becky Peters then joined the mix with a season-high 21 points at Fairleigh Dickinson, and a 20-point game at Rider.
Shadbolt has added two more 20-point efforts since the Stony Brook game, netting a career-high 26 points versus Memphis and 22 points at Kansas, giving Fordham seven 20-point games. The Rams had 11 during the 2009-10 season.
COMING ATTRACTIONS: Fordham takes a short break for exams this week, but will be back in action for its next game against crosstown rival, Manhattan on Saturday, December 18th at 7:00 PM. Fordham will then conclude the pre-Christmas schedule with a road game at Iona on December 22nd.
