PRIDE PREPARE TO SLOW CHARGERS IN TCCC PLAY

Weston, Mass.—Regis College women’s basketball will open its The Commonwealth Coast Conference schedule Saturday, Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. when the Pride host Colby-Sawyer College (3-8).

Regis College (6-6) returns to the Den for the first time since its New Year’s Eve contest when it lost 66-55 to Brandeis University.

The Bad…

Regis has lost its last four contests, the team’s most consecutive losses since the 2008-09 season. One of its losses came at the hands of a 74-64 defeat by Colby-Sawyer College.

Colby-Sawyer enters the game with senior Terri Duffy as its leader in average points per game (11.6), and total rebounds (91), an average of 10.1 rebounds per game.

Julie Plant, head coach for women’s basketball said of Duffy, “We need to be very physical and box her out to keep her from getting rebounds and easy put backs.”

The 6’1” forward has been effective in the nine games she has played in this season.

“She (Duffy) has the ability to have a double-double any game,” Plant continued.

Duffy posted 15 points and 18 rebounds in the Chargers 69-59 loss to RPI. Duffy finished the 2008-09 season with 10 double-doubles for Colby-Sawyer.

The Pride…

Regis College enters this contest with three players averaging double figures in points. Senior Jessica Page leads the way with 16.3 points, and is followed by junior Brittany White and sophomore Stephanie Crawford with 12.5 and 11.8 points respectively.

The trio work well when all on the floor together. Crawford has the ability to create open shots for her teammates by driving to the lane, and forcing defenses to collapse on her when she penetrates.

Crawford will often finish when she gets to the basket, or gets sent to the free-throw line for the easy points. She is shooting better than 73 percent (54-of-74) from the free-throw line, the teams best percentage.

Similar to Crawford, White has the ability to drive to the lane, and often has the competitive advantage because of her speed and athleticism.

White can create match-up problems for many defenses because of both factors. She has been effective when she has the ball away from the basket, and able to take on her defender.

“They have to attack and be aggressive offensively,” Plant remarked of her team.

Page makes many of her points from behind the arc, where she is shooting 40 percent. Opposing teams know to guard her when she’s near the three-point line because she will convert open shots to points.

To date she’s had four double-double games this season. Page had a season-high 24 points against Mt. Ida College (11/15/09), and 13 rebounds versus Framingham State College (12/12/09).

Also able to finish near the basket, Page is tied second in free throw percentage (.667) having made 48-of-72 free throws thus far.

Plant said of team captain’s White and Page, “They have to be leaders on the offensive end.”

Adding to the mix will be Sarah McNult. McNult holds a firm grasp with the top spot in total rebounds (105). She may not the tallest player on the team, but by far one of the most determined.

What makes McNult valuable to the team on the floor is her ability to be in the right place following missed shots.

When McNult is not on the floor opposing post players breath a sigh of relief.

Having competed against some of the best teams in New England, Regis should be ready to take what it has learned over the first 12 games and start the ball rolling for TCCC playoffs.

“If you can get a good start and build confidence with a tough win early on against a very good opponent it can build momentum throughout our conference play,” Plant remarked.

The women’s team will host Colby-Sawyer at 1 p.m. in the athletic arena, also known as “The Den”.