MOUNT ST. MARY'S vs. SAINT FRANCIS U
Saturday, February 29 | 2:00 p.m.
Loretto, Pa. | DeGol Arena
ESPN3/MASN | NEC FRONT ROW | LIVE STATS | GAME NOTES
EMMITSBURG, Md. (Feb. 27, 2020) – With a chance for a Northeast Conference (NEC) regular season title and several milestones at stake, Mount St. Mary's women's basketball heads back to the Keystone State to battle Saint Francis U.
THE MATCHUP
Mount ended Saint Francis U's four game win streak with a 68-44 victory two weeks ago at Knott Arena. A 22-3 first quarter helped swing the tide decisively in the Mountaineers' favor. Aryna Taylor buried six treys in the first half for a game-high 18 points. The Red Flash lead the all-time series, 38-30.
MOUNTAINEER REPORT
The Mountaineers have at least locked in the #2 seed in the NEC and are guaranteed home games in the NEC Championships. Winning out the regular season, including Saturday, will push them to the top spot and home field advantage throughout the conference tournament. It would be the first NEC regular season crown for the Mount since the 2000-01 season.
Entering Saturday, the Mount has won eight straight games and are undefeated for the month of February. A ninth straight victory would be the team's longest success streak since the 1998-99 season. That season the Mountaineers went 21-7 and 18-2 in the NEC. The following year the team went 14-4 in the NEC, and this year's squad can at least match that total with their next win.
Defense has been key to the team's winning streak. While the offense matched its season average at 67.4 points per game, the defense buckled down to allow just 55.8 points. The last five opponents were held under 60 points, and the Mount is 7-0 this year and 17-3 during Maria Marchesano's tenure when the mark is achieved.
SCOUTING THE RED FLASH
Saint Francis U has plenty to play for as well. A win on Saturday guarantees them a top four spot and a home game in the tournament. They have not won since their defeat in Emmitsburg, with defeats at home versus Robert Morris and Long Island.
Karson Swogger continues the lead the Red Flash in scoring with 11.7 points per game, followed by Haley Thomas, who also averages double figures with 10.7 per game. Thomas is tied with Jada Dapaa for the team lead in rebounding with 6.2 boards a contest.
THE NEC TOURNAMENT BATTLE
Robert Morris, Mount St. Mary's, and Saint Francis U have clinched postseason berths. The remaining five spots are up for grabs. Next in line is the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at 7-8, who can still challenge the Red Flash for the third spot.
Four teams - Wagner, Sacred Heart, Bryant and Long Island - all stand at 6-9 and are jostling for positions. St. Francis Brooklyn is looking to sneak in as well, but will need at least two wins and help to secure a place in the postseason.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following Saturday, the Mount will be home for an extended period of time. The team will host Robert Morris Monday (Mar. 2) and Fairleigh Dickinson Thursday (Mar. 5) to close out the regular season. The NEC quarterfinals will be held March 9th at 7 p.m.
