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BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn women's basketball team plays host to Robert Morris this Saturday, February 2, in a game that will be nationally broadcast on ESPN3. The game, slated to tip-off at 12 p.m., is the first of two in the Wellness Center Saturday, as the men will take on Robert Morris at 3 p.m., in a game that will also be aired nationally, on ESPNU.
LAST TIME OUT
• The Blackbirds will be looking for their second NEC win of the season. Most recently, LIU dropped the 20th annual Battle of Brooklyn, falling to St. Francis Brooklyn, 58-69.
LEADING LIU
• Senior co-captains Tamika Guz and Krystal Wells continue to be the lynch-pin of LIU's offense. Guz averages 9.9 points per game, while Wells chips in 10.2 points per game, and led the team with 20 points in the loss to SFC. In conference games, the numbers go up. Guz is averaging 11.8 points per game against NEC teams, along with 4.6 rebounds per game, while Wells is scoring 11.4 points per game in the league, and grabbing 4.6 rebounds per game.
HALL OF FAME DAY
• On Saturday, Feb. 2, at halftime of the men's basketball game against Robert Morris, six former LIU Brooklyn student-athletes will be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame. Dave Masciale (Men's Basketball, 1993 - 1997), Nick Megaloudis (Men's Soccer, 1975 - 1977), Leo Merson (Men's Basketball, 1934 - 1937), Fred Munsch (Swimming, 1959 - 1962), James Ruocchio (Baseball, 1988 - 1990) and Ivana Vasiljevic (Volleyball, 2002 - 2005) all enjoyed standout careers as Blackbirds, and will be recognized for their outstanding achievements.
ALL-TIME SERIES
• Robert Morris holds a significant historical advantage over the Blackbirds, as the Colonials lead the all-time series, 36-16. RMU has won 10 of the last 11 meetings, including last year's only meeting, on January 30, 63-57. Head coach Gail Striegler is 1-5 against RMU all time, with her last win coming Jan. 23, 2011, a 65-61 victory on the road.
SCOUTING THE COLONIALS
• Robert Morris has compiled a 4-15 record overall this season, 3-4 in the Northeast Conference. The Colonials had a tough start to the season, taking on teams like Iowa, Michigan State, and Minnesota on the road. RMU has been able to convert wins in NEC play, however, as they have beaten Mount St. Mary's, Bryant and Central Connecticut State so far.
• Most recently, the Colonials are coming off a loss to inter-state rival Saint Francis (Pa.) RMU dropped the game to SFU Monday on the road, 72-63.
• One of the keys to beating Robert Morris will be shutting down junior forward Artemis Spanou. The Rhoses, Greece native has had a double-double in 14 consecutive games, and is averaging 18.7 points per game and 14.7 rebounds per game. A first-team All-NEC honoree last season, Spanou leads the nation in rebounding, and has played nearly every minute of every game for the Colonials this year.
• Freshman guard Lou Mataly is next on the team in scoring, with a 10.1 points per game average. She had a season-high 22 points against Mount St. Mary's last week, and is second in the NEC in three-pointers. Third on the conference list is her teammate, freshman guard Ashley Ravelli, who has an 8.7 points per game average, and has had at least two three-pointers in seven of the last eight games.