Women’s Hoops Readies for Commonwealth Coast Conference Quarterfinals at Roger Williams Tuesday
The Storyline
The Eastern Nazarene College women's basketball team will travel to Roger Williams in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament quarterfinals February 23. The Lions and Hawks will tip off at 6:00 pm.
Bracket Breakdown
Eastern Nazarene earned the #6 seed in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament, setting up a quarterfinal matchup at third-seeded Roger Williams. Nationally-ranked University of New England claimed the top seed after going undefeated in league play and will host #8 Nichols in the opening round. Western New England seized the second seed and will take on No. 7 seed Salve Regina in the quarterfinals. Fourth-seeded Endicott will battle fifth-seed Curry in the first round. Click here to view bracket.
Scouting the Lions
Eastern Nazarene posted a 14-11 overall record in the regular season to go with a 9-9 mark in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Lions are led by BreAnna Fraser with 8.6 points per game this season. Jaysa Cooper and Jasmine Mata are both averaging 7.8 points per game while Elia Salazar ranks fourth on the squad with 7.2 points per contest.
Scouting the Hawks
Roger Williams sports a 16-9 record on the year and finished the regular season with a 13-5 mark in league play. Angelica Ariola paces four Hawks in double-digit scoring average this season with 12.7 points per game. Rachel Battista is averaging 11.4 points per contest while Bridget Quilty and Katie Lowerre stand at 10.9 and 10.5 points per game, respectively.
Lions vs. Hawks This Season
ENC at RWU – January 19, 2016
In the first game this season between the two teams, the Lions erased a 15-point deficit late in the game to pull even with under two minutes to go on a trey by Jasmine Mata. The Hawks netted six free throws down the stretch to escape with a 68-60 win.
ENC vs. RWU – February 10, 2016
Roger Williams outlasted Eastern Nazarene in overtime 76-72 in a back-and-forth contest. Kristina Kaczmarek poured in a season-high 15 points in the loss while BreAnna Fraser notched 14 points and four assists.
All-Time Series vs. Roger Williams
Eastern Nazarene and Roger Williams have faced off on the hardwood 49 times with the Lions holding a 21-28 record versus the Hawks. Eastern Nazarene's last victory over Roger Williams came November 28, 2012 in Quincy, a 68-57 decision. The Hawks have prevailed in the last seven contests between the two teams.
Rhode Wins
Eastern Nazarene has claimed just two victories in the Ocean State since the start of the 2012-13 season. The Lions picked up a 57-53 win at Johnson & Wales (R.I.) November 20, 2012 and posted a 51-49 victory at Salve Regina earlier this season on February 2, 2016.
Winning Ways
Eastern Nazarene has notched 14 victories this season, marking the highest single-season win total in program history since the 1999-2000 campaign. The Lions strung together their longest winning-streak of the season from December 8 to January 9, recording five wins in a row in the span.
Crashing the Boards
The Lions lead the Commonwealth Coast Conference in rebounds per game (46.5), offensive rebounds per game (17.0) and defensive boards per contest (29.5) this season. Jaysa Cooper and Elia Salazar are tied for third in the league with 2.6 offensive rebounds per game.
Shooting Smart
Elia Salazar has connected on 46.6% of her field-goal attempts this year to lead the conference in shooting efficiency.
Bre for Three
BreAnna Fraser paces the league in three-point shooting accuracy this season. The junior is shooting 41.9% from beyond the arc, splashing 26 treys on 62 attempts this year.
Free Points
Sophomore Jaysa Cooper ranks sixth in the CCC in free throw shooting percentage as she has converted 75.7% of her attempts from the charity stripe. Cooper has canned 53 foul shots on 70 chances.
Just Visiting
Eastern Nazarene has logged 24 victories on the road in head coach Sacha Santimano's five seasons at the helm. The Lions own a 7-6 road record in 2015-16 and have won three of their last four away games.
Women's Basketball at ENC
The Eastern Nazarene College women's basketball program is in the midst of its 53rd season of play. The program's first year of play came back in 1963-64. Eastern Nazarene will be making its 13th appearance in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament this season. Eastern Nazarene captured the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament Championship during its historical 1999-2000 season when the Crusaders advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.