Women's Basketball and Robert Morris Meet Again Wednesday in NEC Semifinal

The Northeast Conference semifinal game will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcasted on ESPN 3 and NEC Front Row.

March 7, 2017

The Northeast Conference Tournament sixth seed, the Central Connecticut women's basketball team, travels to Moon Township, PA to play the number one seeded, Robert Morris Colonials on Wednesday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the NEC semifinal. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN3 as well as NEC Front Row.

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#2 Sacred Heart will host #4 Bryant in the other semifinal game on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.

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GAME NOTES | CCSU | RMU

The Playoff Picture • Central seeks its very first NEC Championship appearance on Wednesday night. The Blue Devils are 0-5 all-time in the conference semifinal match, last falling in double overtime to St. Francis Brooklyn, 70-67, during the 2014-15 season inside Detrick Gymnasium. The Colonials are seeking their fourth straight NEC Title. RMU last lost in the semis in 2012 as the four seed to the number one ranked Sacred Heart Pioneers. The two teams most previously met in the tournament in the 2005 quarterfinals, with #3 RMU advancing past #6 CCSU, 68-62, inside Charles L. Sewall Center.

Series History (14-22) • Saturday's semifinal marks the 37th meeting between Central Connecticut and Robert Morris, with RMU holding an eight-game advantage in the series. The Blue Devils dropped the first game this season, 55-46, at Moon Township, PA, and fell 69-32 at home. During the 2015-16 regular season, Central prevailed at home against Robert Morris, 48-39, on Jan. 25. The Colonials got the best of CCSU in their last meeting on Feb. 8 winning, 72-55.

Key From Three • The sophomore broke the all-time CCSU school record for most single-season three-pointers, accumulating 71 (1st in the NEC) on the year, passing Leanna Crockett's 61 three's ('10-'11). Patterson's six three's at St. Francis Brooklyn on Dec. 31, tied her for third all-time for most single-game three-pointers. Kiana ranks third in the NEC for three-point field goals made this season, averaging 2.3 per game. Kiana leads the Blue Devils on the offensive end with 11.4 ppg, and has hit three triples in each of CCSU last four games.

Previously For Both Teams • CCSU upset #3 Saint Francis U, 65-57, who had won 26 consecutive NEC playoff games in Degol Arena prior to Sunday's loss. Kiana Patterson drained three fourth quarter three's, and scored a game high 19 points in the win. RMU rolled past the Knights of Fairleigh Dickinson, 68-35, led by 15 points apiece from Anna Nikki Stamolamprou and Megan Smith.

Scouting RMU • The Colonials currently rank first in the league in points allowed (56.3 per game), scoring margin (+6.7), field goal percentage (41.4%), and three-point percentage (34.6%). Robert Morris may be without its senior point guard, Janee Brown, who was out with an injury during the quarterfinals on Sunday. Brown ranks second in the NEC in assists (3.93 pg), and leads the team with 114 this year.

Getting on the Glass • Central Connecticut sits atop the rebounding standings in the NEC, averaging 40.3 boards per game. Led by Reynoso as the leagues third ranked rebounder, snatching 8.6 per game.

The Colonial Chiefs • NEC Player of the Year, Anna Nikki Stamolamprou, is third in the league in scoring with a team best 16.3 ppg, and is second for RMU in rebounding with 5.8 boards per contest. Junior forward, Megan Smith is second of the team in scoring (10.9 ppg), and is the Colonials top rebounder, grabbing 6.1 per game. Smith is also a huge threat from behind the arc, sinking a conference high 50.8% of her attempts.

Rejected by Reynoso • Senior Giocelis Reynoso sent back a career high five of Saint Francis' shots which ties her for fourth all-time for most blocked shots in a single-game. The NEC's third ranked shot-blocker (1.7 bpg), brings her season blocked shots total to 51 putting her in fourth place for most single-season blocked shots in school history.

Up Next For CCSU • The winners of both semifinal games will go head-to-head for the Northeast Conference Championship game on Sunday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m. at the site of the highest remaining seed, and will be broadcaseted on ESPN U/NEC Front Row