January 15, 2013

EMMANUEL VS. MOUNT IDA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Setting the Scene

The Emmanuel College Saints will once again enjoy the confines of the Jean Yawkey Center in Boston on Tuesday night as they host the Mustangs of Mount Ida College at 7 PM. The Saints will be playing their third game of a four game home stand. The Saints come into the game with a 9-4 record including a 1-0 record in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. The Saints are coming off a 72-41 win in their GNAC opener on Saturday over Albertus Magnus College.  Mount Ida comes into Tuesday’s action with a 6-7 record with a 0-1 record in the GNAC. The Mustangs dropped their last game 76-46 to Norwich in their conference opener.

Defensive Dominance

When the Saints are at their best, they dominate defensively. This was on display on Saturday in their impressive thirty-plus point win over Albertus Magnus. In the first half, the Saints allowed just 17 points on 3-18 shooting. That’s right, just three made baskets allowed. The Saints forced 19 turnovers, 11 of which were steals, and blocked three shots. The Mustangs are currently averaging over 18 turnovers per-game, while the Saints force over 22 per-game. Couple that with the fact that the Saints only allow 54 points per-game and a clear pattern can be seen. When the Saints play defense, they are tough to beat.  Emmanuel will have to pay close attention to Mount Ida guard Evebonee Acosta, who was selected this week’s GNAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week.  Acosta is leading the Mustangs with an average of 19.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.

Spread the Floor

This may seem simple, but when the Saints spread the floor they are a far better offensive team. When shooters like Laura Benvenuto, Chenae Earle and Britni Mikulanecz are aggressive for the Saints, the middle of the floor is opened up for their 2012 All-GNAC forward Fiona O’Dwyer.

Former Saint

Mount Ida College coach Leah Lipschitz is in her first season as the Mustangs head coach and will be returning to her alma mater on Tuesday. Lipschitz played two seasons for the Saints and Coach Andy Yosinoff.  Lipshitz appeared in 48 games with 10 starts and averaged 4.7 points and 3 rebounds per-game.