The College of Staten Island women’s basketball team is looking to get back in the win column tonight, and they will host City College of New York at 5:30pm to continue their CUNYAC slate of games. CSI fell for the first time in conference play this past Sunday at Brooklyn College and will look to the friendly confines of the Sports & Recreation Center to try and get back on track. CCNY is also looking to right the ship after two tough defeats last week.
CSI vs. CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK AT-A-GLANCE
Matchup: CSI (7-5 overall, 3-1 CUNYAC) vs. City College of New York (6-5 Overall, 2-2 CUNYAC)
Where: Sports & Recreation Center – 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY
Tip-Off: 5:30pm
Ticket Info: $5 – General Admission / FREE – CSI Students/Staff/Faculty
Live Video: http://www.csidolphins.com/CSISportsNet
Promotional Info: One lucky fan will be selected via raffle to shoot a half-court shot worth $5,000
All-Time Series: CSI leads 35-21
Last Year’s Results: CSI won both meetings
Players To Watch (CSI): CSI sophomore Christina Pasaturo has been the primary catalyst for the Dolphins this season, averaging an even 17 points per game. She is also ranked 13th in the nation in assists per game at 6.0, part of 74 on the year for her. Only 15 Dolphins have ever posted 100+ assists in a single season. Fellow sophomore Samantha Flecker is second on the squad with 16.1 points per contest. Defensively, CSI’s Victoria Gallinaro paces the team with 35 steals, good for 33rd in the NCAA Division III ranks. She also matched a season high with 15 points in the loss to Brooklyn College on Sunday.
Players To Watch (CCNY): Look for Tiara Brown to pack a punch, as she leads the Beavers with 15.7 points and 13.9 rebounds per game, the 9th highest total in the nation. She has posted six double-doubles through CCNY’s first 9 games this season (Dec. 30-31 stats unavailable). Erika Richards is a downtown threat who averages 13.6 markers per game, and is solid defensively with 17 steals this season. Defensive-minded Liz Durchhalter is third on the squad in steals while leading the squad in free-throw percentage at an even 80%.
News and Notes: History is on the Dolphins’ side tonight, as CSI has dominated this series in recent years. The Dolphins have won the last 26 meetings between the two sides dating back to 1997. CCNY’s last regular season win over the Dolphins actually came back in 1996, a 57-41 Beavers win at the Sports & Recreation Center. Since then the Dolphins have taken the last 11 meetings on their home floor with an average margin of victory by 22 points. These two teams already share six common opponents to start the season, the only discrepancy between them was a CSI win over Hunter. The Beavers fell to Hunter, 77-72, back on December 11. Look for rebounds to play a key role tonight. CSI has won their last three games when winning the rebounding battle, and have lost their last two when they haven’t. CCNY is in a similar boat, enjoying a plus-1.7 rebounding margin. Both teams pride themselves on forcing turnovers as well. CCNY forces 22.3 per game, while the Dolphins force 24.8. CCNY has outscored its opponents in the first quarter more than any other quarter (+28), meanwhile CSI’s best quarter of play has been the third (+50).
