Women's Basketball | 12/28/2023 2:38:00 PM
PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher University women's basketball team heads to the birthplace of basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts this weekend for a pair of games: one on New Year's Eve, and one on New Year's Day.
The games, against Roger Williams University and William Paterson University, are part of the Naismith Classic held at Springfield College. Sunday's game against Roger Williams is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., while Monday's game with William Paterson is set for 2:30 p.m.
Here's what you need to know as the Cardinals head to Massachusetts:
Last Time Out
The Cardinals entered winter break with a 85-57 win over SUNY Cortland to move to 7-2 on the season. Sophomore guard Presleigh Brunner was one of five Fisher athletes to notch double-digit scoring days, racking up a personal season-high 13 points. Freshman Madeline Ramsgard scored 11 off the bench and also had five rebounds. It was the Cardinals' fourth-straight win.
Know Your Foes
St. John Fisher has never faced Roger Williams, who enter Springfield with a 6-2 record. Members of the Commonwealth Coast Conference, the Rhode Island-based Hawks beat nationally-ranked Trinity, 62-56, on Dec. 7. They are led by senior Katie Galligan and sophomore Sophia Coppola, who each average 15.4 points per game.
This will also be the first time that Fisher has faced William Paterson. Based out of New Jersey, the Pioneers are members of the New Jersey Athletic Conference and enter the Springfield event with a 4-7 record. They are led by senior Brianna Smith, who is averaging 16.5 points per game.
Joleen, Joleen
Freshman forward Joleen Lusk continues to lead the team in several categories, including points-per-game (15.8), offensive rebounds (28), blocks (12), and field goals made (60). She's also had the highest-scoring game for Fisher this season so far: a 26-point display against RIT on Nov. 16.
Player to Watch
Senior guard Claire Kruszka leads the team in three-pointers (14) and has also been among team leaders on defense, pacing the squad with 29 steals. She also leads the team in assists, with 31. Every game for the Cardinals this season has begun with the same starting five on the court, including Kruszka.
What Comes Next
After the New Year's games, Fisher returns to Empire 8 play when they travel to Alfred on Friday, Jan. 5 for a 5:30 P.M. showdown with the Saxons.
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