FLYERS OPEN A-10 PLAY AGAINST RHODE ISLAND
The University of Dayton hosts Rhode Island Saturday at 2 p.m. at UD Arena in its Atlantic 10 opener. It’s the Flyers first home game in more than a month – their last game at UD Arena was a 77-69 victory over Wright State on Dec. 6. UD finished as runners-up at the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic on Dec. 21 and captured the Saint Peter’s College Holiday Classic with wins over South Florida and Binghamton on Dec. 29 and 30. Senior Justine Raterman was named MVP of the SPC Holiday Classic and sophomore Cassie Sant was named to the all-tournament team. Dayton finished the non-conference portion of their schedule with an 8-4 record.
FLYER FACTS
Senior Justine Raterman leads Dayton in scoring (15.3 ppg) and rebounding (6.6 rpg). Senior Patrice Lalor leads UD in assists with 55, freshman Andrea Hoover leads in steals with 17 and senior Casey Nance leads in blocks with 15. The Flyers are outscoring opponents by an average of +5.9 points per game. They also have a +2.0 rebounding margin over opponents. UD is ranked No. 43 in the first RPI report released by the NCAA on Jan. 3. Dayton is 25th in the NCAA rankings in three-point field goals made per game (7.1). When holding a lead at halftime the Flyers have a 7-0 record this season.
SCOUTING THE RAMS
Junior Ashley Rivera leads Rhode Island in scoring with 11.2 ppg. Sophomore Emilie Cloutier also averages double figure scoring with 10.5 ppg. Senior Sherrie Session leads the Rams in rebounding (6.4 rpg) and assists (47). Freshman Teneka Whittaker leads the defense with 21 steals this season. The Rams are 1-14. Their lone win was a 52-43 victory over Providence on Nov. 16. URI is ranked 308 in the latest NCAA RPI report. URI is averaging 52.3 ppg.
SERIES STUFF
Dayton leads the all-time series 16-4 over Rhode Island. The Flyers have won the last eight meetings, including a 63-43 victory in Kingston, R.I. last Feb. 23, 2011. Justine Raterman led UD with 15 points and Olivia Applewhite added nine points and 11 rebounds in 14 minutes of action. Casey Nance had a career-high seven blocks in that game.
A-10 ACCOLADES
Justine Raterman and Andrea Hoover were named the Atlantic 10 Conference Women’s Basketball Player and Rookie of the Week for games played from Dec. 19 through Jan. 1. The UD duo is the first to sweep the A-10’s weekly awards since Dec. 28, 2008.Raterman averaged 20.8 ppg and 8.5 rpg over Dayton’s last four games, including wins over Illinois (80-66), South Florida (73-63) and Binghamton (60-50). She sank a career-high seven 3-point field goals on her way to a season-best 26 points in Dayton’s 73-63 win over South Florida on Dec. 29. She moved to third all-time at UD in three-pointers made and currently has 162.
Hoover tied a career high with 16 points and four assists in Dayton’s 80-66 victory over Illinois in the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic. Hoover had 14 points, including converting 6-of-6 from the free throw line in the final 3:40 of the game, in Dayton’s 73-63 win over South Florida on Dec. 29 in the Saint Peter’s College Holiday Classic. She was Dayton’s second leading scorer during the two tournaments, averaging 11.8 points per game, while adding 6.3 rebounds.
UP NEXT
Dayton plays at Saint Joseph’s this Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 11:30 a.m. in Philadelphia. The Flyers return to UD Arena on Sunday, Jan. 15 for their ESPN2 nationally-televised game against Temple at 2 p.m. “Pack the House with a Red Out!” All fans wearing red will receive a special discounted ticket price – $3 for adults and $1 for children.
A-10 CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION
- After spending two years at a neutral facility, the A-10 Women’s Basketball Championship will return to campus in 2012. This year’s event will be played at Michael J. Hagan ‘85 Arena on the campus of Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
- The A-10 Championship returns to the campus of Saint Joseph’s University for the eighth time in 2012. The tournament was previously played at the former Hagan Arena – Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse – in 1985, 1991, 1994, 1995, 2004, 2006, 2008.
- The top 12 teams at the end of the regular season will advance to the Atlantic 10 Championship (based on the final A-10 standings).
- First round action of the Championship begins on Friday, March 2, with the top four teams earning a bye. Quarterfinal play continues on Saturday, March 3, with the Semifinal round aired live on CBS Sports Network on Sunday, March 4. The Championship game will be held on Monday, March 5, and televised live on ESPN2 and ESPN3 at 5:00pm ET.
- Tickets may be purchased three ways …
- Call SJU’s ticket office at 610-660-1712
- Visit the A-10’s online home at atlantic10.com
- Stop by the SJU ticket office on campus
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