EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. - The No. 20-ranked Bloomsburg University women's basketball team takes its 12-game winning streak into East Stroudsburg this Saturday, eyeing a season sweep of the Warriors. The first game of the season saw ESU lead at halftime and into the second half before a rally from the Huskies gave BU a win on its home floor. Both teams have secured spots in the PSAC Tournament, but continue to fight for seeding with both first round byes still up for grabs.
SCOUTING EAST STROUDSBURG
East Stroudsburg will be looking to bounce back from a 70-61 setback on Wednesday at Shippensburg. Prior to that, ESU had earned wins over Millersville, Lock Haven, Kutztown and Mansfield in four consecutive games.
Despite losing on Wednesday night to Shippensburg, ESU secured its second consecutive berth in the PSAC Tournament and remains in contention for a top-four seed, which would give the Warriors their first home postseason game since 2007. The loss to Shippensburg snapped what was a four-game winning streak within the PSAC East, ESU's longest since winning seven in a row in 2006-07 when the Warriors captured the PSAC East regular season championship.
ESU ranks 15th in the PSAC in offense (64.1 ppg), but has been extremely strong defensively. The Warriors own the third-ranked defense in the conference, allowing only 62.4 ppg – trailing only Gannon (59.8 ppg) and IUP (60.7 ppg) in that category. The Warriors have struggled shooting this year, however, ranking 15th in field goal percentage (39.2%) and 16th from 3-point-land (28.0%).
Reigning PSAC East Athlete of the Week Jessica Martin leads the PSAC in blocks this year with 63 (2.9/game).
THE BLOOMSBURG-ESU SERIES
Bloomsburg leads 47-20
The Huskies have won nine consecutive meetings against ESU, sweeping the season series the past four years. In their last trip to ESU a season ago, the Huskies secured an 86-57 victory last February in the season finale. The last win for ESU in the series came on Feb. 11, 2009 in a 70-58 decision to complete a season sweep for the Warriors that year.
When these two teams met at Nelson Field House on Jan. 15,
Jocelyn Ford (Lansing, NY/Lansing) scored a game-high 23 points to help the Huskies rally for a 63-51 win. Twenty of Ford's points came after halftime as the Huskies came back from a six-point deficit with 14:02 to play.
IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
The Huskies cracked into the USA Today Sports Division II Top 25 this week for the first time on the season, entering the rankings at No. 20. One of only two PSAC teams ranked along with No. 3 Gannon, the Huskies are joined in the poll by two other Atlantic Region teams – No. 10 Glenville State and No. 13 Virginia State. Edinboro, which defeated Gannon on Wednesday, was listed among others receiving votes.
TWEETABLES (Huskies facts in 140 characters or less)
-Bloomsburg has won 12 straight games and 14 of their past 15.
-The Huskies also won 12 games in a row during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.
-With a point on Saturday,
Catherine Noack (Bethlehem/Liberty) will stretch her consecutive games with points scored mark to 80 straight games.
-Noack is averaging 18.5 ppg in 11 road games this year, best on the team.
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Morgan Klunk (Felton/York Catholic) led the team in rebounds with 7 last Saturday, the first time she has led the team on the boards this year.
-When shooting more free throws than its opposition this season the Huskies are 11-0.
-The starting lineup of
Morgan Klunk (Felton/York Catholic),
Catherine Noack (Bethlehem/Liberty),
Jocelyn Ford (Lansing, NY/Lansing),
Marla Simmons (Lebanon/Cedar Crest) and
Adreana Sadowski (Fleetwood/Brandywine Heights) is 14-1 this year.
-That lineup's only loss was a 65-63 heartbreaker vs. nationally-ranked Gannon.
