Women's Basketball Senior Day

The Central Connecticut women's basketball team can secure a playoff spot with a victory over Robert Morris on Senior Day.  The Blue Devils (14-13, 8-8 NEC) and Colonials will tip-off at 2 p.m. or 35 minutes after the conclusion of the CCSU-Robert Morris men's basketball game.

Here are some notes for the Blue Devils heading into today's game:

Today • The Blue Devils (14-13, 8-8 NEC) host the Colonials of Robert Morris (7-20, 6-10 NEC) in a Northeast Conference women's basketball game.  The Blue Devils have two regular season games left on the schedule and CCSU is in the drivers seat to secure one of the final two spots in the NEC Tournament.  CCSU's opponent today, Robert Morris, is also in the hunt for one of the final playoff spots.  The Colonials and Blue Devils played earlier this season with Robert Morris winning 65-48.  That was the NEC opener for both squads.  Up next for CCSU is a Monday night game against Saint Francis U.  The Blue Devils fell to the Red Flash on the road earlier this season and the Red Flash have already locked up a playoff spot. 

Senior Day • Prior to today's game the Blue Devils honored seniors Jaclyn Babe, Kirsten Daamen and Jameilia Dillon.  All three players are in their final season of action for the Blue Devils.  Brooke Bailey, who is listed on the roster as a senior, has not played this season and will return next year to play for the Blue Devils.

Series History • The Blue Devils are 11-16 all-time against the Colonials and are 1-8 against Robert Morris under head coach Beryl Piper.  Robert Morris won the first meeting this season by a score of 68-45.  It was the fifth straight win in the series for the Colonials.

The Playoff Picture • Heading into today's action the playoff picture is becoming more clear with six teams locked into the tournament.  Quinnipiac is locked in as the #1 seed, behind the Bobcats are Sacred Heart, Monmouth, Saint Francis U, Mount St. Mary's and St. Francis Brooklyn.  CCSU enters today tied with St. Francis BK for sixth place in the NEC stadnings.  Four teams are currently competing for the final two spots, CCSU at 8-8 is in the drivers seat and likely headed for the playoffs, Robert Morris, Fairleigh Dickinson and Bryant at 6-10 are mostly likely in contention for the final spot.  However, a massive five-team tie at 8-10 is still possible and in that case the two teams with the highest combined winning percentage against the other teams in the tie would earn playoff berths.  For CCSU the path is simple, a win today puts the team at nine wins and secures a playoff spot.
Assisting the Team • Junior Jessica Babe has 105 assists this season, which gives her a new season-high.  Last season, Babe recorded 102 assists to lead the Blue Devils.  She is currently tenth on CCSU's career list with 257 assists.

Seniors • Senior Kirsten Daamen holds the school record for career blocks (193), single-game blocks (9, at FDU 2/2/13) and has the second (73, 2011-12), third (53, 2012-13), ninth (37, 2009-10) and 11th (33, 2010-11) highest single-season block totals in program history.

Senior Jameilia Dillon has played off the bench throughout her career serving as a valuable back-up forward and center.  She had the best game of her career at Bryant last season when she posted 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Senior Jaclyn Babe transferred to CCSU following two seasons at Duquesne University.  Babe has scored 846 points at CCSU and with her 191 points at Duquesne she has registered 1,037 points as a Division I college basketball player.  Babe has averaged 15.7 points/game over her two seasons at CCSU, and has 151 assists and 123 steals during that time.

Round Numbers • Senior Jaclyn Babe reached 1,000 career points two weeks ago and sophomore Kaley Watras reached 400 career points on Saturday.  Senior Kirsten Daamen is just 2 points shy of 800 for her career.  Also approaching milestone scoring numbers are junior Jessica Babe (14 points from 600) and junior Lauren Arbogast (18 points from 500).  On the coaching side, head coach Beryl Piper recorded her 80th career win on Saturday.

Wins • With 14 wins this season the 2012-13 team is tied with the 2000-01 team for the fifth most wins in a Division I season.  With a victory tonight, the Blue Devils could move ahead of the 00-01 squad.  Head coach Beryl Piper has led CCSU in three of the top-six seasons by win total.  The program's DI record of 21 wins was set during the 1989-90 season, the 2010-11 team's 19 wins are second, the 2008-09 squad's 18 wins are third and the 1998-99 team's 17 wins are currently fourth.