Lady Bears Basketball Opens 2014-15 Campaign With HVIAC Tilt at Pratt

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) women's basketball team will kick off their 2014-15 season when they take on Clinton Hill rivals Pratt Institute in a Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) matchup on Wednesday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the men's basketball team.

Game Information 

St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (0-0) at Pratt Institute (0-0)
Wednesday, November 19 • 6 p.m.
Pratt Institute • Brooklyn, N.Y.

Live stats | Video | Directions

Storylines

• The 2013-14 Lady Bears (16-12, 6-3 HVIAC) earned a trip to the HVIAC Finals and their first berth to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Tournament since 2010. This season, the team aims for the goal of securing the HVIAC title for the second time in three seasons and a second straight trip to the USCAAs.
• Pratt (5-5) starts their first season as a member of the HVIAC with a matchup against their Clinton Hill foes in their second season in program history.

Last Meeting

This is the first ever meeting between the two teams.

The Bear Facts

Entering the 2014-15 campaign, the Lady Bears bring back six members of last year's team as they aim for their third straight winning season, winning the HVIAC title and a second-straight appearance in the USCAAs. Returning is senior starters Taylor Raccuglia and Samantha Retas. Retas averaged 9.6 points per game and led the team with 10.7 rebounds per game, while Raccuglia netted 11.2 points per game, was second with 7.4 boards per game and topped the team with 3.3 assists per game.

Also back on the court are Erica Eddy, Brittany Cervino, Jamilynn McGowan and Kristen Candelaria. Newcomers Kristen Ferrigno, Lauren GaNun, Samantha Simon, Destiny Marino, Dana Nicholson and Terresa Danzey that round out the roster.

Firing the Cannons

Pratt is coming off a 5-5 record in their inaugural season in 2013-14. The Cannoneers bring back just two players from their squad last season. Sophomore guard Carol Cai was third on the team averaging 8.3 points per game and corraled 4.3 rebounds a game. Hannah Calderwood returns for Pratt, grabbing 6.5 rebounds per game which was good for fourth last season. 

Did You Know?

Samantha Retas looks to establish dominance on the rebounding front to start the new season for St. Joseph's. The senior has set Lady Bears season records with rebounds the last two seasons (288 in 2012-13 and 302 last season).  She also is the all-time team leader by averaging 10.8 boards throughout her career.

Team Comparison (stats from last season)

St. Joseph's (Brooklyn)	School	Pratt Institute
Lady Bears	Nickname	Cannoneers
0-0	Record	0-0
HVIAC	Conference	HVIAC
Roster | Schedule |Statistics	Team Info	Roster | Schedule | Statistics
Kelly McNamee (12.8)	Top Pts.	Anna Bryce (13.6)
Samantha Retas (10.7)	Top Reb.	Anna Bryce (11.7)
Taylor Raccuglia (3.3)	Top Ast.	Anna Bryce (3.9)