MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – The SUNY Morrisville women's basketball team completed the regular season with a 17-7 overall record, posting a 13-3 United East slate, earning the second overall seed in the upcoming United East Championship Tournament set to begin Friday, February 25 in Washington, D.C.
THE BASICS:
- United East Tournament Semifinals, Friday, Feb. 25:
- #1 Gallaudet University vs. #4 St. Mary's College – 5 p.m.
- #2 SUNY Morrisville vs. #3 Penn St. Harrisburg – 7:30 p.m.
- United East Championship Final, Saturday, Feb. 26:
- Winner of semifinal #1 vs. winner of semifinal #2 – 4 p.m.
- Location: Gallaudet University Field House, 800 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
- Ticket Information: tickets are available per game for $7 per admission each contest through Gallaudet University at the following link: https://www.gallaudetathletics.com/fans/etickets.
THE MATCHUP:
- SUNY Morrisville completed the season with a 13-3 overall United East slate to earn the second overall seed and will meet third seed Penn St. Harrisburg, who finished 11-5 in league standings.
- "As a program, we are eager and excited for the opportunity to play in the United East conference tournament this weekend," head coach Erin Skaradek said. "I think a lot of people have doubted this team, simply because of our youth. Despite all the adversity this group has faced over the last five months, they are prepared and more than ready to compete for a championship."
- Gallaudet earned the top overall seed and hosting rights after finishing 13-3 but held the tiebreaker over the Mustangs for the top slot.
- St. Mary's College of Maryland will meet the Bison as the fourth seed, earning the tie breaker over Lancaster Bible who finished 10-6 overall in league standings as well.
- Morrisville first met Harrisburg back in December where they collected the 69-67 victory.
- In that contest, SUNY Morrisville trailed by five entering the final quarter but used a 44% shooting effort and forced critical Nittany Lion turnovers as they posted the come-from-behind victory.
- Taylor Colone-Microni (Oneonta, N.Y.) paced the Mustangs with 20 points, 18 of which came in the first half from six three-pointers.
- Olivia Brunner (East Branch, N.Y.) finished with a team high 13 rebounds, seven on the offensive glass.
- Morrisville met the Nittany Lions for a second time on January 29, collecting the 59-54 win on the Mustangs home court.
- Once again Morrisville posted the come-from-behind victory utilizing a 22-14 third quarter rally as nine Mustangs contributed to the scoring.
- Rachel Vieira (Caruthers, Calif.) posted 14 points and seven boards in the win, collecting a total six steals and three blocked shots.
- Brooke Hammersley (Weedsport, N.Y.) posted 11 points in the win.
- In that same contest, Morrisville forced a costly turnover under the Mustangs basket leading to a Brunner layup for the lead and down the line Hammersley and Vieira sealed the win from the free throw line.
- Across both contests, the Mustangs have forced 48 Nittany Lion turnovers, adding a total 49 points to their wins.
- Morrisville is entering the game on a five-game win streak, outscoring opponents a total 378 to 256, an average of 75.6 points per game to 51.2.
- The Mustangs are also riding a 12-2 record since the winter break, falling only to Gallaudet in both contests.
- Following Wednesday's announcement of the All-Conference teams, Morrisville has three that earned accolades, including Hammersley and Vieira, but also in freshman Cara Walker (Phelps, N.Y.).
- Each, along with Colone-Microni are averaging double-figures for the Mustangs, but without one key player to focus on, Harrisburg will have their hands full as in the second half of the season Morrisville has had several contribute to their success on the court in all aspects of the game.
- Skaradek is no stranger to the post-season, having led Morrisville to the tournament semi's three times, and tournament finals twice, including the 2019-20 season where Vieira, Colone-Microni and Hammersley all gained crtitical post-season experience and leadership for this year's team.
- Gallaudet is providing live video for the contest, links are available on the athletics website at www.morrisvillemustangs.com. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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