Edinboro (4-2, 1-1 PSAC) at California (Pa.) (5-0, 2-0 PSAC)
SCOUTING THE VULCANS
The Vulcans have started the season red hot, winning all five of their games by double digits, scoring victories over Fairmont State, Glenville State and Seton Hill in non-conference and a PSAC crossover sweep vs. West Chester and Cheyney last weekend. Cal last hit the court a week ago Saturday when it won at Cheyney, 63-41. That win came 24 hours after a 78-66 win at West Chester. Junior Ashley Hines leads the Vulcans at 16 points per game, scoring 18 or more points in four out of five games despite not playing over 26 minutes in any game. Four Vulcans average in double figures – Hines, Stephanie Michael (15.0 ppg.), Elena Atonenko (13.5 ppg.) and Emma Mahady (12.6 ppg.) While the Vulcans have been explosive offensively averaging 77.6 points per game, their real strength has been defense – Cal U allows just 54.2 points on average, second best in the PSAC (IUP, 43.7).
BLAZE'S HOT START
Senior
Samantha Blazetic tallied her third double-double of the season on Tuesday in Edinboro's victory over Davis & Elkins by finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Blazetic leads the PSAC in scoring with 17.8 points per game through six games. During her three double-doubles, Blazetic is averaging 22 points and 10 rebounds.
FIRSTS FOR FREELAND
Fresh off earning PSAC West Freshman of the Week honors on Monday, forward Aignee Freeland was in the starting lineup for the first time on Tuesday. The York, Pa. native turned in a career-high 36 minutes in Edinboro's 79-60 win vs. Davis & Elkins and recorded six points, seven rebounds and one block. Last weekend, Freeland scored nine points with nine rebounds, one assist and one steal Saturday at Mansfield while shooting 4-of-6 from the field. Freeland then added five points and three boards at Bloomsburg.
TOP 25 STREAK ENDS
When the latest WBCA USA Today Sports Top 25 Coaches' Poll was released on Tuesday, it did not include Edinboro for the first time in nearly two years. The Fighting Scots had been ranked in 22 consecutive weeks of the poll, dating back to Feb. 22, 2011. Edinboro received 63 votes in the latest poll, 11 votes outside of the Top 25.
CONFERENCE-LEADING THEFT
Senior
Kiara Brown leads the entire PSAC in steals thus far, with 23 for the year, or an average of 3.8 per contest. Brown has at least two steals in every game so far, including a high of seven swipes during the Glenville State game.
'3' FROST MELTS
The Fighting Scots had a season-best night from beyond the arc vs. Davis & Elkins, shooting 6-of-12 from 3. The six made three-point field goals were a season-high for Edinboro, and for the time being snapped a cold streak from the perimeter as the Scots had entered Tuesday shooting a cold 19.5 percent (16-82) from 3 in the first five games of the season. Edinboro registered 159 made 3's last year and shot 31.2 percent from beyond the arc.
