Edinboro Fighting Scots (14-7, 9-6 PSAC West) vs. Mercyhurst Lakers (10-11, 8-7 PSAC West)DATE: Saturday, January 30, 2016
TIME: 1:00 p.m.
LOCATION: McComb Fieldhouse
CITY: Edinboro, Pa.
LIVE STATS:
http://www.sidearmstats.com/edinboro/wbball/RADIO: http://streamdb4web.securenetsystems.net/v5/WFSETV: ETV
GAME STORYEdinboro will be playing its third game in the past six days and taking on a local rival for the second straight game, hosting Mercyhurst Saturday afternoon. The Fighting Scots saw their season best five-game winning streak snapped this past Wednesday against Gannon, dropping a 60-48 decision at the Hammermill Center.
The Fighting Scots are fourth place in the PSAC West with a 14-7 record and 9-6 mark in conference play. The remaining seven games are critical for Edinboro to clinch their seventh straight PSAC Tournament appearance. The Fighting Scots are just two games out of first place in the West, but also separated by two games from being out of a playoff position.
Mercyhurst enters the contest at 10-11 overall and just one game behind Edinboro in the West with an 8-7 record. The Lakers have won three of their last five games and five of their last seven, including an 83-78 victory against Slippery Rock on Wednesday.
The Fighting Scots enters Saturday's contest with local rival Mercyhurst in search of their fourth consecutive season sweep of the Lakers. However, Mercyhurst's last win over the Fighting Scots was 59-58 triumph in overtime, snapping the Fighting Scots 24-game winning streak. In addition, The Lakers haven't celebrated a victory on the court of McComb Fieldhouse since the 2001-02 season.
In the season's first meeting, the Fighting Scots scored a 64-42 victory over the Lakers in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. It was the second straight double-digit victory and fifth in the last six games for Edinboro over the Lakers.
The Fighting Scots average 68.7 ppg., good for ninth in the PSAC, while allowing 63.4 ppg., which ranks seventh. Mercyhurst comes into the contest averaging 64.0 ppg., which is 14
th in the PSAC, while allowing 65.3 ppg., good for tenth.
Edinboro ranks among the leaders in Division II in several categories. The Fighting Scots are seventh in total assists (345), 14
th in total rebounds (867), and 18
th in total blocks (95). Those figures all lead the PSAC.
Senior
Lauren Hippo recorded her 1,000
th career point Wednesday against Gannon, joining fellow senior
Aignee' Freeland in the 1,000-point club. Fittingly, her 1,000
th career-point came off a 3-pointer. Hippo ranks among the all-time 3-point shooters in Edinboro history. She is ranked first all-time in 3-point percentage at 40.2 percent. Hippo ranks fifth in career 3-pointers made (168) and seventh in career 3-pointers attempted (418). She is eighth in the PSAC with 45 3-pointers made and 11
th with a 32.8 3-pt. percentage while averaging 12.2 ppg. Hippo has scored in double figures in seven of the past eight games. She ranks third on the team in rebounding, averaging a career-high 5.0 rpg.
In the first meeting with the Lakers, Senior
Aignee' Freeland recorded a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Freeland ranks ninth on Edinboro's all-time scoring list with 1,405 career points. She is also third all-time in career rebounds with 889 boards. Heather Gates (1,301) and Montique Wade (1,113) rank first and second, respectively. Freeland is also sixth all-time in career blocks with 120. She ranks tenth in the PSAC in scoring (16.1 ppg.) and eighth in rebounding. (8.7 rpg.). Freeland has recorded eight double-doubles this season, good for fifth in the PSAC.
First-year Fighting Scot Laker
Katie Fischer enjoyed a strong first contest against her former team. In the first meeting, Fischer totaled 11 points and six assists in Edinboro's 64-42 win at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The transfer from Mercyhurst leads the PSAC and ranks fourth in Division II with 6.7 assists per game and is third in the nation with 140 total assists, the 14
th most in single-season history. Fischer is second on the team and ranks 12
th in the PSAC in scoring with 15.9 ppg. Fischer has recorded four double-digit assist games this season and posted five double-doubles. She also ranks tenth in the PSAC with 42 3-pointers made and is seventh in 3-point field goal percentage (35.6 pct.). Fischer will face off against her former team for the second time this season.
Earlier this week, General McLane product
Michelle Jahn was named the PSAC West Women's Basketball Freshman of the Week for the fourth time this season. After scoring in double-figures seven of the first nine games of her career, Jahn cooled off, scoring in double-digits just twice since. The 5'8'' guard got back on track this past week, scoring 16 points on Sunday at Seton Hill and Wednesday at Gannon. In the first meeting with Mercyhurst, Jahn totaled a team-high 22 points on a near perfect shooting night, going 9-of-11 from the field and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.
ON THE RADIOThe Edinboro-Mercyhurst game will be broadcast on WFSE 88.9. Mike Fenner will handle the play-by-play duties with Joshua Kaufer on color commentary.
ON TVThe Edinboro-Mercyhurst game will be broadcast on Edinboro's campus television station, ETV.
ALL-TIME SERIESEdinboro leads 46-11. Edinboro has won nine of the last ten meetings and all but five of the last 17 meetings dating back to 2005-06. The Lakers haven't won a game in McComb Fieldhouse since the 2001-02 season.
Last Meeting: December 1, 2015 – Edinboro 64, at Mercyhurst 42
The Fighting Scots used stingy defense to hold the Lakers to a season-low 42 points to secure a 64-42 victory at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Edinboro held the Lakers to just 18 first-half points to take a 32-18 lead into the locker room. Edinboro held Mercyhurst to just 28.6 percent (16-of-56) shooting from the floor while shooting 48.1 percent (25-of-52) themselves. The Lakers struck first in the contest, jumping out to a quick 8-2 lead less than three minutes into the game. Edinboro answered swiftly, holding the Lakers to just two points the remaining 7:03 of the opening period, while scoring 11 points to take a 13-10 lead. The Fighting Scots held Mercyhurst to just eight points in the second quarter as they outscored the Lakers 19-8 to take a 14-point lead into halftime and the lead grew to as much as 25 points in the fourth quarter.
Michelle Jahn led the Fighting Scots with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc.
Aignee' Freeland recorded her third double-double of the season, scoring 20 points and pulling down 12 rebounds.
Katie Fischer totaled 11 points and dished out six assists in her first return to the Mercyhurst Athletic Center since her transfer to Edinboro. Angela Heintz was the sole Laker in double figures, totaling 15 points.
LAST TIME OUTJanuary 27, 2016 –at Gannon 60, Edinboro 48Despite senior forward
Lauren Hippo scoring her 1,000
th career point, the Fighting Scots were swept in the season series by Gannon for the first time since the 2009-10 season. Edinboro opened the game with a 9-4 run and took a 15-13 lead into the second quarter. Edinboro's lead grew to 21-17 after holding Gannon scoreless for over three minutes in the second quarter, but the Lady Knights closed out the half on a 7-2 run to take a one-point lead at 24-23 into the locker room. Gannon opened the second half with another 7-2 run, sparked by a Morgan Neighbors 3-pointer to take a 31-25 lead with 5:42 remaining in the third quarter. Trailing by 11 points at 40-29, the Fighting Scots hit three straight 3-pointers to cut the deficit to just two points at 40-38 heading into the final quarter.
Katie Fischer hit the first 3-pointer, followed by back-to-back treys by
Michelle Jahn. Trailing 44-40 with 6:03 remaining in the game, Hippo hit a 3-pointer, her 1,000
th career point, to bring Edinboro within just one point. Gannon responded with a 16-5 run to end the game, scoring its final nine points from the free throw line. The Fighting Scots were a season-low 3-of-11 (27.3 pct.) from the charity stripe for the game. Edinboro was dominated on the glass, as Gannon held a 45-32 advantage, the largest margin of the season against the Fighting Scots. Jahn led the Fighting Scots with 16 points, while Hippo and Fischer added 11 points each.
January 27, 2016 – at Mercyhurst 83, Slippery Rock 78 Tied at 60-60 with 8:04 left to play in the fourth quarter, the Lakers scored nine unanswered points to gain the lead for good. Mercyhurst's offense exploded for the second most points its scored all season and the highest since December 12. The Lakers held a 39-29 advantage on the glass which they turned into a 12-2 advantage in second chance points. Natalie Piaggesi led the Lakers with 26 points and was a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe. Angela Heintz added 25 points and dished out six assists. Piaggesi and Heintz both pulled down a team-high seven boards. Jalin Steel was the third Laker in double-figures, totaling 16 points.
The Head Coaches Edinboro: Stan Swank (Purdue '76, 527-290, 29th year)Swank is in his 29
th season as the head coach at Edinboro and ranks as the all-time winningest coach in PSAC history and is also the longest tenured. He owns a career record of 527-290 at Edinboro, and over the previous five seasons Edinboro had a 125-27 record. The Fighting Scots seek their seventh straight PSAC Tournament appearance and have won three PSAC championships during that five-year span, the last coming in 2014. Swank entered the 2015-16 season tied for 12
th among active Division II coaches in victories. That figure is tied for 24
th all-time in overall victories. He ranks 35
th in career winning percentage (.645). Edinboro finished with a 20-8 record a year ago, the fifth straight season with 20-or-more wins and the 11
th in Swank's career. He guided the Fighting Scots to a 16-6 record in the PSAC West, good for fourth place. Edinboro defeated Seton Hill, 68-53, in the first round of the PSAC Tournament before suffering a 71-63 loss to Indiana(Pa.) in the quarterfinals. The Fighting Scots qualified for the PSAC Tournament for the sixth straight year and 11th time in the last 12 years.
Mercyhurst: Deanna Richard (Wayne State '01, 88-150, 9th year; Career Record: 150-242, 15th year)Head coach Deanna Richard is in her ninth season at the helm of the Lakers' basketball team. She has guided Mercyhurst to PSAC Tournament bids twice in her career, most recently in 2012-13. Richard came to Mercyhurst from Olivet where she spent six seasons as the head coach of the Comets and made the MIAA Tournament in all six years. Richard was an outstanding player at Oakland from 1992-96, leading Oakland an GLIAC Championship and a trip to the Elite Eight. She finished her career with 1,333 points and was inducted to Oakland's Hall of Honor in 2007.
SCOUTING THE FIGHTING SCOTS PROBABLE STARTERS
TOP RESERVESPLAYERS TO WATCHLauren Hippo (G, 5'10", Sr.) – the 5'10" senior recorded her 1,000
th career point this past Wednesday, joining fellow senior
Aignee' Freeland in the 1,000-point club. Hippo is one of the top 3-point threats in the PSAC and school history, ranking first in career 3-point field goal percentage (40.1), fifth in career 3-pointers made (165), along with seventh in career 3-pointers attempted (411). Hippo Hippo is third on the team in scoring at 12.2 ppg. while making 45-of-137 3-pointers. She also ranks third on the team in rebounding, averaging a career high 5.0 rpg. Hippo has scored in double figures in seven of the last eight games.
Aignee' Freeland (F, 6'3", Sr.) – a two-time All-PSAC West selection, Freeland joined the 1,000-point club as a junior, and ranks ninth in career scoring with 1,405 points and third in career rebounds with 889. Freeland leads Edinboro in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 16.1 ppg. and 8.7 rpg. The former figure ranks tenth in the PSAC while the latter is eighth. Freeland has posted eight double-double's rank fifth in the PSAC.
Katie Fischer (G, 5'7", Jr.) – the transfer from Mercyhurst is in her first season at Edinboro and continues her impressive season as a Fighting Scot, leading the PSAC and fourth in Division II with 6.7 assists per game and ranks third in the nation with 140 total assists. In addition, Fischer averages 15.9 ppg., which ranks 12
th in the PSAC. She ranks tenth in the PSAC with 42 3-pointers made and seventh in 3-point percentage at 35.6 percent.
SCOUTING THE LAKERSA much-improved Mercyhurst team has a 10-11 record after handing Slippery Rock an 83-78 defeat on Wednesday. The 10 wins are the most since 2011-12.
Although the Lakers rank 14
th in the PSAC, scoring 64.0 ppg., Mercyhurst's 83-point output against Slippery Rock was a the second highest total this season and the most since a December 12, 88-80, win over West Virginia Wesleyan.
The Lakers are 8-4 in games when they hold opponents to 65 points or less and just 2-7 when opponents score over 65.
Mercyhurst features a pair of double-figure scorers in Natalie Piaggesi and Angela Heintz. Former high school teammates at Seton-LaSalle, Piaggesi and Heintz combine to form a formidable guard-forward combo.
Heintz, a transfer from Division I Duquesne, leads Mercyhurst in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 15.0 ppg. and 6.5 rpg. She ranks fourth in the PSAC with 49 3-pointers. Piaggesi follows, ranking second in both categories with 13.7 ppg. and 6.4 rpg. Piaggesi is 76 points away from becoming the 18
th player in program history to score 1,000 career points.
Over the last four games, Heintz is averaging 22.3 ppg.
Heintz is one of just seven players in Division II to record a triple-double this season. (24/12/11 vs. Slippery Rock on 12/16/15)
Senior Adrienne Kloecker, a member of the 1,000-point club, comes off the bench for the Lakers, averaging 7.7 ppg. and 2.7 rpg.
PROBABLE STARTERS | | | | | | PPG | RPG |
| F | 12 | Natalie Piaggesi | 6-1 | Jr. | Bethel Park, Pa. | 13.7 | 6.4 |
| F | 33 | Jessica Bell | 5-10 | Jr. | Crown Point, Ind. | 9.5 | 4.9 |
| G | 3 | Hayley Andres | 5-7 | Fr. | Franklin, Pa. | 4.6 | 5.0 |
| G | 25 | Angela Heintz | 5-10 | Jr. | Bethel Park, Pa. | 15.0 | 6.5 |
| G | 32 | Jalin Steel | 5-7 | Jr. | Euclid, Ohio | 7.4 | 2.3 |
NEXT FOR THE FIGHTING SCOTS: Wednesday, February 3 at Slippery Rock
HIPPO JOINS THE 1,000-POINT CLUBSenior Lauren recorded her 1,000
th career point this Wednesday against Gannon. Hippo totaled 14 points, hitting the milestone with a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. Hippo is also one of the most prolific 3-pt. shooters in Edinboro history, ranking among the top in all 3-pt. categories, including first all-time in 3-pt. field goal percentage. She is third on the team this season, shooting 32.8 percent from beyond the arc.
Career Points| 1. | Samantha Reimer (2006-10) | 1,926 |
| 2. | Jessica Rowe (1996-00) | 1,846 |
| 3. | Montique Wade (1986-90) | 1,775 |
| 4. | Sarah Bishop (1986-90) | 1,652 |
| 5. | Kelsey Conklin (2006-10) | 1,557 |
| 6. | Kelly Calderone (2004-07) | 1,460 |
| 7. | Renee' Brown (2008-12) | 1,430 |
| 8. | Meghan Miller (1995-99) | 1,426 |
| 9. | Aignee' Freeland (2012-Pres.) | 1,401 |
| 10. | Shauna Nevel (1992-96) | 1,384 |
| 11. | Samantha Blazetic (2009-13) | 1,372 |
| 12. | Lori Montgomery (1992-96) | 1,356 |
| 13. | Tina Skidmore (1977-81) | 1,337 |
| 14. | Heather Gates (1994-98) | 1,320 |
| 15. | Kiara Brown (2010-13) | 1,278 |
| 16. | Tammy Walker-Strode (1990-92) | 1,273 |
| 17. | Krystal Henson (1999-03) | 1,263 |
| 18. | Marin Hightower (1997-00) | 1,218 |
| 19. | Maria DiVecchio (2002-06) | 1,214 |
| 20. | Jeannine Jean-Pierre (1991-93) | 1,203 |
| 21. | Audrey Scott (1976-80) | 1,191 |
| 22. | Ellen Mulligan (1980-84) | 1,169 |
| 23. | Darche' Jackson (2010-14) | 1,167 |
| 24. | Laurel Lindsay (2010-15) | 1,165 |
| 25. | Amy Rapelje (1994-98) | 1,105 |
| 26. | Mary Ann Chilcott (1981-85) | 1,068 |
| 27. | Lori Dolby (1977-80) | 1,067 |
| 28. | Lachelle Crawl (1999-03) | 1,034 |
| 29. | Pam Artman (1991-95) | 1,021 |
| 30. | Sheilah Collins (1974-77) | 1,001 |
| 31. | Lauren Hippo (2012-Pres.) | 1,000 |
Career 3-Pt. Field Goal Percentage (minimum 100 attempts) | 1. | Lauren Hippo (2012-Pres.) | .402 |
| 2. | Valerie Majewski (2013-15) | .396 |
| 3. | Meghan Miller (1995-99) | .377 |
| 4. | Jessica Rowe (1996-00) | .358 |
| 5. | Laurel Lindsay (2010-15) | .349 |
| 6. | Hope Mancini (2010-15) | .344 |
| 7. | Kelly Calderone (2004-07) | .343 |
| 8. | Krystal Henson (1999-03) | .342 |
| 9. | Mari Hollman (1990-91) | .339 |
| 10. | Kelli Mankowski (1994-98) | .338 |
Career 3-Point Field Goals Made | 1. | Krystal Henson (1999-03) | 275 |
| 2. | Meghan Miller (1995-99) | 222 |
| 3. | Jodi Calderone (2001-05) | 209 |
| 4. | Samantha Reimer (2006-10) | 190 |
| 5. | Lauren Hippo (2012-Pres.) | 168 |
| 6. | Kelly Calderone (2004-07) | 153 |
| 7. | Jessica Rowe (1996-00) | 140 |
| 8. | Kiara Brown (2010-13) | 139 |
| 9. | Laurel Lindsay (2010-15) | 128 |
| 10. | Valerie Majewski (2013-15) | 110 |
Career 3-Point Field Goals Attempted | 1. | Krystal Henson (1999-03) | 803 |
| 2. | Jodi Calderone (2001-05) | 653 |
| 3. | Samantha Reimer (2006-10) | 610 |
| 4. | Meghan Miller (1995-99) | 589 |
| 5. | Kelly Calderone (2004-07) | 446 |
| 6. | Kiara Brown (2010-13) | 421 |
| 7. | Lauren Hippo (2012-Pres.) | 418 |
| 8. | Jessica Rowe (1996-00) | 391 |
| 9. | Laurel Lindsay (2010-15) | 367 |
| 10. | Shauna Nevel (1992-96) | 345 |
AIGNEE' FREELAND CRACKS TOP TEN IN CAREER SCORING, RANKS THIRD IN CAREER REBOUNDS, AND SIXTH IN CAREER BLOCKSAignee' Freeland joined the 1,000-point club as a junior and recently moved into ninth all-time on the career points list. The senior ranks tenth in the PSAC, averaging 16.1 ppg. Freeland has also been a force to be reckoned with on the glass her entire career and this season is no different. She ranks eighth in the PSAC with 8.7 rpg. and has recorded eight double-doubles this year. Freeland has turned away 36 shots this season, putting her career total at 120.
Rebounds| 1. | Heather Gates (1994-198) | 1,301 |
| 2. | Montique Wade (1986-90) | 1,113 |
| 3. | Aignee' Freeland (2012-Pres.) | 889 |
| 4. | Tina Skidmore (1977-81) | 809 |
| 5. | Samantha Blazetic (2009-13) | 784 |
| 6. | Tammy Walker-Strode (1990-92) | 777 |
| 7. | Kelsey Conkil (2006-10) | 772 |
| 8. | Renee' Brown (2008-12) | 735 |
| 9. | Terri Ayers (1990-93) | 721 |
| 10. | Amy Rapelje (1994-98) | 716 |
Blocks| 1. | Samantha Blazetic (2009-13) | 285 |
| 2. | Terri Ayers (1990-93) | 159 |
| 3. | Toyia Giles (1988-90) | 141 |
| 4. | Kate Kosewicz (1974-77) | 130 |
| 5. | Micki Cerchiaro (2008-12) | 127 |
| 6. | Aignee' Freeland (2012-Pres.) | 120 |
| 7. | Agnieszka Michalow (2005-07) | 106 |
| 8. | Donna Esposito (1982-86) | 102 |
| 9. | Heather Gates (1994-98) | 88 |
| 10. | Renee' Brown (2008-12) | 86 |
KATIE FISCHER DISHING IT OUTFirst-year Fighting Scot
Katie Fischer leads the PSAC with 6.7 assists per game and 140 total assists. Fischer's 140 assists rank 14
th on the single-season leaderboard. The 5'7'' junior guard needs just seven assists to crack the top-ten.
Assists | 1. | Callie Iorfido (2005-06) | 249 |
| 2. | Andrea Martre (1989-90) | 236 |
| 3. | Callie Iorfido (2004-05) | 225 |
| 4. | Laurel Lindsay (2014-15) | 206 |
| 5. | Desiree Alexander (1991-92) | 204 |
| 6. | Desiree Alexander (1990-91) | 188 |
| 7. | Karen Urey (1988-89) | 151 |
| 8. | Jeannine Jean-Pierre (1991-92) | 147 |
| 9. | Pam Artman (1992-93) | 146 |
| Karen Urey (1987-88) | 146 |
| Jessica Rowe (1999-00) | 146 |
| 12. | Samantha Reimer (2007-08) | 143 |
| 13. | Courtney Thompson (2001-02) | 142 |
| 14. | Katie Fischer (2015-16) | 140 |
