JANUARY 12, 2013

SAINTS, FALCONS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAME PREVIEW

1:00 PM, Jean Yawkey Center, Boston, Mass.

Setting the scene

The Emmanuel College Saints (8-4, 0-0) are in the midst of a four game home-stand and will welcome the Albertus Magnus College Falcons (10-1, 0-0) into Boston for an epic GNAC clash. The game serves as the conference opener for both teams and is an early season look at teams that many think will compete for a GNAC title. The Saints are coming off a devastating last-second defeat to Bowdoin College 65-63 at home on Monday, while the Falcons are riding a three-game winning streak after defeating St. Joseph's (Brkln) at the Barklay Center in New York on Monday. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 PM inside the Jean Yawkey Center.

Match-up of the game

When Emmanuel College women's basketball is mentioned, one usually thinks of Fiona O'Dwyer. The Senior Captain is averaging 20.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per-game. She will face a very tough test Saturday when she is guarded by freshman forward/center Kelsey Pendagast. Pendagast is gaining minuets steadily for the Falcons and is averaging 10.7 rebounds per-game. She will have a tall task in guarding the potential All-American O'Dwyer, who holds the obvious experience edge. It's not often a battle on the boards is highlighted but keep an eye down low for this one.

Helping their cause

It has been well documented that Fiona O'Dwyer is one of the best players in the GNAC this season but she will need help to today, if the Saints are going to continue their perennial conference reign. O'Dwyer’s 20.2 points per-game is only about three points per-game less than the rest of the starting five for Emmanuel. The question now has to be, who will join O'Dwyer in the scoring department. Some candidates: Jen Bujnowski who is starting to come into her own and is up to 9.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per-game. Another candidate: Britni Mikulanecz. Mikulanecz has recently seen a larger role with the Saints and can knock it down from outside, to go along with her stellar defense. If these two continue to play well, the Saints should see their win total rise.