Top-Seeded Saints Set To Host No. 8 Norwich in GNAC Quarterfinals

BOSTON, Mass. – Top-seeded Emmanuel College is set to host No. 8 Norwich University in the 2022 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Quarterfinals on Wednesday, February 23 at 7:00 PM on the Andy Yosinoff Court. The Saints bring a 22-1 overall record to the contest after posting a perfect 16-0 mark in GNAC play to earn the No. 1 seed in the tourney. The Cadets stand at 10-14 overall after defeating Lasell 58-48 in the GNAC Tournament First Round game yesterday and posted a 7-9 conference mark during the regular season.

SEASON AT A GLANCE:

Emmanuel:

• The Saints enter the conference tournament ranked first in the GNAC in field goals made (666) and second in the GNAC in scoring, averaging 73.9 points per game.
• This year's team currently leads the GNAC while ranking seventh the nation in assists per game (18.7 apg) and leads the GNAC while ranking 13^th in the country in steals (13.8 spg)
• The squad topped the GNAC in rebounding, averaging 48 boards per contest which also ranks 10th among NCAA D-III programs.
• EC enters the tourney also leading the GNAC team defense, allowing a league-low of 53.7 ppg.

Norwich

• Norwich has done a nice job this season limiting opponents second chances, ranking first in the GNAC in offensive rebounds allowed (10.8 per game) and overall ranked second in the conference in team defensive rebounding surrendering an average of just 37.0 boards a night.
• The Cadets enter the tournament ranked last in the GNAC in three-point field goals allowed (170), marking 30 more triples allowed than the next fewest team defense in the league.
• Defensively, Norwich forced teams to commit an average of 14.9 turnovers per game, ranking last in the league while offensively, they averaged 21.2 turnovers a game (10^th).
• Norwich posted a 6-1 record this season when holding opponents to less than 60 points.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Emmanuel:

• Senior forward Loredana D'Agostino (Broad Brook, Conn.) ranked second in the GNAC in double-doubles this season with eight and enters the tourney averaging 11.1 points and 7.9 rebounds a game while shooting 49.1% from the field to rank third overall in the GNAC in field goal percentage.
• Graduate student guard Jamad Fiin (Boston, Mass.) is enjoying her most efficient offensive season at the collegiate level averaging 11.7 points while shooting at a 45.6% clip from downtown in GNAC play to lead in three-point field goal percentage while her 42.4% line throughout the year ranks eighth among NCAA Division III ballers.
• Senior forward Riley Lahiff (North Attleboro, Mass.) keys the Saints defensive unit with 55 steals on the season, ranking fourth among players in the GNAC and has helped Emmanuel's perimeter defense hold opponents to a GNAC-low 23.5% shooting percentage from downtown.

Norwich

• First year guard Haley Brewster (Virginia Beach, Va.) led Norwich while ranking fifth in the GNAC in scoring at 16.8 points per game, scoring in double-figures in 16 games this season including 18 points in the first meeting vs. the Saints.
• First year forward Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) leads the GNAC in field goal percentage, shooting at a 51.5% clip on the year while averaging 7.3 ppg.
• Senior Hannah Stitely (Westminster, Md.) is one of the few returning players that has seen action in the GNAC tournament before and is the Cadets veteran leader, averaging 5.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

COACHES' CORNER:
Andy Yosinoff - Emmanuel
In his 45th year with the Saints, Yosinoff is no stranger to the GNAC tournament having led Emmanuel to 17 conference championships over his career. He's compiled an incredible 296-16 (.949) record in regular-season GNAC play and earlier this season, he moved into 10^th all-time in career coaching victories among all NCAA Divisions for women's basketball coaches.

Mark Zacher – Norwich
Zacher is in his 13^th season at the helm of Norwich's women's basketball program and has compiled an overall record of 160-154 (.510) including 76 victories in GNAC action. Norwich has qualified for 10 of 12 GNAC tournament fields under his tutelage, advancing to the GNAC finals in 2010 and 2014 while qualifying for the ECAC tournament in 2010 and 2015. To date, Zacher has developed 12 GNAC All-Conference selections.

THE LAST TIME WE MET:
On February 9, Emmanuel picked up a 68-35 GNAC victory over the Cadets behind a 18 points from Fiin and 13 points by first year Yannie Chan (Hong Kong, China). The Saints held Norwich to a dismal 20.3% day from the field (12-of-59) while forcing 25 turnovers, the most by NU against any GNAC opponent during the month of February.

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:
Over 42 career meetings to date, Emmanuel has controlled the all-time series with a 40-4 record against Norwich. The last Norwich victory over the Saints came on February 25th, 2014 when the No. 8 Cadets stunned the No.1 ranked Saints 84-78 in overtime in the 2014 GNAC Quarterfinals to end Emmanuel's chance at an unprecedented eighth consecutive GNAC Championship.

POSTSEASON HISTORY:
Emmanuel is no stranger to the GNAC tournament making its 26^th consecutive appearance in the field and owns a 62-8 all-time record for a league-best 17 crowns. Norwich makes its 21^st tournament appearance and has compiled a 25-18 mark that includes nine trips to the GNAC finals with championship wins in 2000 and 2006.

Head to head in the tournament, Emmanuel is 11-2 all-time against NU. In their 13 previous GNAC tournament meetings, four match-ups between the schools have come in the GNAC quarterfinals (2020, 2018, 2014, 2012) with Emmanuel winning in '12, '18 and '20.

TICKETS
Adult admission is $8.00 while seniors and children 12 and under is $5.00. Emmanuel College students, staff and faculty may receive free admission but must present a valid student/college ID at the door.

COVERAGE
Tuesday's GNAC Opening Round game will be streamed live on the web with the official call of the game from the voice of the Saints, Matt LaPan and Alex Shipps '20. To tune into the live action, click on one of the links below:

LIVE VIDEO
LIVE STATS

GNAC TOURNEY SCHEDULE
First Round - Tuesday, February 22
#9 Lasell at #8 Norwich - 5PM – 58-48, NOR
#12 JWU at #5 Saint Joseph CT - 7PM
#11 Anna Maria at #6 Rivier - 7PM
#10 Colby-Sawyer at #7 Elms - 7PM

Quarterfinals - Wednesday, February 23
#8 Norwich at #1 Emmanuel - 7PM
5v12 winner at #4 Regis - 7PM
6v11 winner at #3 Saint Joseph's Maine - 7PM
7v10 winner at #2 Albertus Magnus - 5:30 PM 

Semifinals - Friday, February 25
1/8v9 winner vs 4/5v12 winner
3/6v11 winner vs 2/7v10 winner 

Championship - Sunday, February 27
final at highest remaining seed