Game Details:  Saturday, March 3 | 12:00 p.m.
Location: Voller Athletic Center | Rochester, N.Y.
Game Links:  Watch Live | Live Stats | Live Audio
Twitter: @LIUPostPioneers | @LIUPWBB
LIU Post Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats 
NYIT Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats

THE FIRST LOOK
 
The LIU Post women's basketball team put together one of its most impressive regular seasons in program history. The Pioneers dropped just one conference matchup, the fewest losses in league play in over 20 years, while also doubling their win total from a year ago. The one loss, however, came to Saturday's opponent and local rival, New York Institute of Technology back on Saturday, Jan. 27. 
 
The Green and Gold enter championship weekend on a seven-game win streak, and is in search of its first East Coast Conference (ECC) title since being crowned champions during the 2010-11 season.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
 
LIU Post has had success against NYIT historically, recording a 54-16 overall mark against the Bears. The Northern Boulevard neighbors have turned the tides in the rivalry as of late, however, as NYIT is 6-2 during the last eight matchups.  
 
LAST TIME THEY MET
 
NYIT handed the Pioneers their lone conference loss this season, a 79-72 overtime setback on the road. Senior Sasha Patterson led the way for the Pioneers with 27 points and 17 rebounds, while classmate Kylie Garrett netted 11 points. Maia Hood led four Bears in double figures with 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting. LIU Post shot just 36 percent from the field while committing 21 turnovers in the loss, and will look to its improved ball security and high-percentage looks to carry them to a championship game appearance.
 
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
 
Patterson has been a dominant force inside the paint for the Green and Gold. The Brooklyn native ranks fourth in Division II this season with nearly five offensive rebounds per game, and also ranks in the top-30 in double-doubles with 14. Her last time out against Roberts Wesleyan, she dropped 27 points and hauled in 20 rebounds. On the year she averages nearly a double-double with 16.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.  Her counterpart in the front court, sophomore Mikaiya Moore, has also been outstanding this season, scoring over 13 points per game to go with 5 rebounds and over one assists per tilt. 

From the perimeter, the Pioneers look to Garrett who is shooting at a 39 percent clip from long range this season, ranking second in three-point percentage and fifth in made three's in the ECC. Four other Pioneers have made over 20 three-pointers this season as well, including senior guard Kristen Olsen with 29. Despite the dominating front court, the LIU Post guards have helped lead to over 14.5 assists per game, handing out helpers on more than half of the team's made baskets.
 
SCOUTING THE BEARS
 
NYIT finished ther regular season with an 18-11 overall mark, 11-7 in ECC play. Hood leads four players with double figure averages, scoring 15.4 points per game. The Bears average 67.9 points per game on 42 percent shooting. NYIT ranks second in three-point shooting, hitting over 32 percent of its shots from long-range, hitting eight or more three-pointers nine times. The Bears have had trouble with ball security at times, averaging nearly 18 turnovers per game, including 10 games with over 20. 

TICKET INFORMATION

Fans making the trip to Rochester will be admitted to this weekend's contest at a price of $10 for adults and $5 for students. Fans that cannot make it to the Voller Athletic Center, live video will be available on the ECC Network and live audio will be available courtesy of WCWP.org/88.1 FM. Fans can also follow along with live stats at www.liupostpioneers.com.