Nov. 20, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

THE MATCHUP: After defeating North Carolina A&T 80-64 Friday night, Marist travels to West Virginia for the second round of the preseason WNIT.

ON THE AIR: Geoff Brault and Phil Terrigno will have the call on GoRedFoxes.com beginning at 12:45 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

SERIES RECORD: This is the first ever meeting between the Red Foxes and Falcons. Marist is 3-2 all-time against teams from the Mid-American Conference. The Red Foxes last played a MAC team on Dec. 30, 2007, defeating the Akron Zips in Akron 76-62.

LAST TIME OUT: Marist shot 23.4% from the field Monday night, falling at West Virginia 55-50 in the first meeting between the two teams. The Red Foxes shot 17.6% from the field in the first half, making 1-of-16 three-pointers. Rachele Fitz and Erica Allenspach each scored 19 points to lead Marist. Fitz added 13 rebounds for a double-double. Allenspach scored all of her points in the second half.

DYNAMIC DUO: Senior forward Rachele Fitz and junior guard Erica Allenspach each scored 19 points in Marist's last game at West Virginia. Fitz is currently the leading scorer in the MAAC, averaging 24.5 points per game through two games this season. Allenspach is third in the MAAC in scoring, averaging 19.5 points per game.

FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME: Marist is opening the 2009-10 season by taking on five opponents it has never played before. The Red Foxes had never met North Carolina A&T or West Virginia before this season, and the same will hold true for Oklahoma State, Michigan State, or George Washington.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT: Freshman Kate Oliver played 24 minutes of action against West Virginia on Nov. 16. She made her first career three-pointer in the second half against the Mountaineers while adding five rebounds and two blocks.

WATCH OUT FOR HER: Rachele Fitz was named to the preseason watch list for the Naismith Trophy on Wednesday, as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. Fitz is one of 50 players from across the country to be on the watch list. Last season, Fitz was a preseason and midseason candidate for the Wooden Award, as well as being an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American.

HELPING OUT: Sophomore point guard Kristine Best has committed only one turnover in 58 minutes of action so far this season. She had five assists with no turnovers against North Carolina A&T in the season opener. Best also pulled down a career-high seven rebounds against West Virginia on Nov. 16.

SCOUTING BOWLING GREEN: The Falcons enter Saturday's game with a 1-1 record after a 91-72 loss at #3/3 Ohio State last Sunday. Bowling Green was outrebounded by 16 by the Buckeyes and shot 37.1% from the field. Tracy Pontius led the Falcons with 18 points, while Lauren Prochaska added 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Pontius and Tamika Nurse are each averaging 14 points per game to lead the Falcons. Prochaska is averaging 12 points and seven rebounds per game through two games. Bowling Green has won the last five Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular-season titles, including a 15-1 mark in conference last season. The Falcons were chosen to win the MAC East division as well as the conference tournament for the 2009-10 season. Pontius and Prochaska were selected to the East Division All-MAC team in the preseason. Prochaska was the 2008-09 MAC Player of the Year after averaging 17.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.