Game Details:  Friday, March 9 | 12:00 p.m.
Location: Merkert Gymnasium | Easton, Mass.
Game Links:  Watch Live | Live Stats | Live Audio
Twitter: @LIUPostPioneers | @LIUPWBB
LIU Post Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats 
USciences Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats
Tournament Central

THE FIRST LOOK
 
The LIU Post women's basketball team returns to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2013-14 season, and the fifth appearance during the last 10 seasons. During their last trip, the Pioneers made it to the Sweet 16 before getting tripped up by eventual National Champion, Bentley University. The Pioneers have made 10 trips to the NCAA Tournament throughout program history, compiling a 4-10 record.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
 
The Pioneers and Devils have met just one time previously, with the Green and Gold earning an 81-66 victory on Nov. 13, 2011. Nicolette Marciniak scored 24 points and grabbed 18 rebounds off the bench for LIU Post, while Brianne Traub led the Devils with 25 points in that contest. 
 
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
 
Head Coach Deirdre Moore was named East Coast Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Pioneers to 22 regular season wins. This season marks the sixth 20-win season in program history, and the team doubled its win total from a season ago. Senior forward Sasha Patterson earned first-team All-ECC accolades and has been a dominant force in the paint for the Green and Gold. The Brooklyn native ranks second in Division II this season with nearly five offensive rebounds per game, and also ranks in the top-15 in double-doubles with 15.  Her counterpart in the frontcourt, sophomore Mikaiya Moore, garnered second-team All-ECC honors after an outstanding regular season, scoring over 13 points per game to go with 5 rebounds and over one assist per tilt. 

From the perimeter, the Pioneers look to third team all-conference senior guard Kylie Garrett who is shooting at a 39 percent clip off the bench 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 frontcourt, 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 DEVILS
 
USciences is led by Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Player of the Year Sarah Abbonizio. The senior is one of three Devils to start all 31 contests this season, averaging 15.6 points per game on 43.5 percent shooting. Head Coach Jackie Hartzell was named CACC Coach of the Year after leading the Devils to 26 regular season wins and a top-20 ranking in both national polls. Junior guard Alex Thomas also gathered first-team All-CACC accolades after averaging 15.2 points per game behind a 40-percent mark from beyond the arc and an 88-percent free throw percentage. 

The Pioneers should match up well on the interior, as the Devils have compiled a -0.4 rebounding margin throughout the year, averaging 34 rebounds per game while the Green and Gold bolster over 40 boards per contest. Senior forward Laura Trisch leads the efforts on the glass with six rebounds per game. Over 78 percent of the Devils scoring has come from its guards this season, with just two forwards averaging above four points per game. The Devil defense, however, helps make up for the unbalanced offensive attack, as USciences holds a 3.7 margin in turnovers and has held opponents to just 53 points per game on 37-percent shooting. 

TICKET INFORMATION

Fans making the trip to Easton will be admitted to this weekend's contest at a price of $10 for adults and $5 for students. All-session passes are available for $25 for adults and $10 for students. Fans that cannot make it to the Merkert Gymnasium, live video will be available on Bridgewater TV 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.