Women's Basketball Goes For Their Third Straight Victory Facing Medgar Evers

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) women's basketball team (9-7) will go for their third straight win at home when they host borough rival Medgar Evers on Wednesday as the second half of a doubleheader with the men's team. Tip time for the women's game is at 7:30 p.m.

Game Information

Opponent: Medgar Evers College (1-17)
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 28  • 7:30 p.m.
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Arena: The Hill Center
Coverage:  Live stats | Video | Game Program

Quick Links

St. Joseph's (Bklyn): Roster | Schedule | Statistics | Misc. Stats
Medgar Evers: Roster | Schedule | Statistics

Storylines

• The game is the 17th game in the all-time series, with the Lady Bears owning a 12-4 advantage. 
• This is St. Joseph's fourth matchup against CUNYAC opponents so far this season, compiling a 2-1 record with wins over York (N.Y) and CCNY.
• The Lady Bears broke three single-game school records in their last game against Briarcliffe. The team set highs in points (94), field goals made (42) and assists (31), all previously set on February 14, 2006 against Yeshiva.
• Samantha Retas leads three Lady Bears averaging double figures this season. She scores 13.6 points per game, and 13.9 rebounds per contest. She is coming off her tenth double-double of the season, tallying 18 points and 16 rebounds in a win over Briarcliffe.
• Taylor Raccuglia has had an explosive offensive month in January. The senior has averaged 18.3 points per game in the month, including setting a career high 30 points against Briarcliffe. With the performance last week, she was named both the AD3I and USCAA Player of the Week.
• Medgar Evers is looking to snap a seven-game losing streak.
• Nia Tompkins leads the Cougars with 11.5 points per contest, including a team-high 24 points against Lehman College.

Series History

St. Joseph's owns an 12-4 edge in the all-time series against the Cougars, having won the last nine meetings.

Last Meeting

Three Lady Bears scored in double figures and shot 53 percent from the field as they defeated Medgar Evers, 72-49, on the road on November 20, 2013.

Samantha Retas recorded her second straight double-double with team highs of 18 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks. Kelly McNamee contributed 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while Erica Eddy posted her second straight game in double figures with 10 points.

Lady Bear Probable Starters

• Samantha Retas (F): Retas leads the Lady Bears with 13.6 ppg, along with 13.9 rpg, second in the HVIAC. She notched her tenth double-double on the season with 18 points and 16 rebounds.
• Taylor Raccuglia (F): Raccuglia is third on the team with 12.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, and second on the team dishing off 3.9 apg. Has averaged 18.3 points per game in the month of January. The senior is coming off her best outing in her career against Briarcliffe, scoring 30 points along with nine rebounds and seven assists. For her performance, she was named the USCAA and AD3I Player of the Week.
• Destiny Marino (G): Marino ranks second on the Lady Bears with 12.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, team-best 4.2 apg (third in the HVIAC), and is second in the HVIAC with 44.3% shooting. She has now scored double figures in 14 consecutive contests. Marino set career highs with 18 points and eight assists in a win over Briarcliffe. She earned HVIAC Rookie of the Week for the third time this season.
• Samantha Simon (G): Simon is coming off a career-best performance against Briarcliffe in just her second start of the season. She topped her previous marks in points (15), rebounds (six) and assists (four).
• Kristen Ferrigno (F): The sophmore forward averages 3.2 ppg to go along with 2.9 rpg. She scored a career high eight points against Briarcliffe. Ferrigno is third on the team with a 72.2 free throw percentage, hitting 13 for 18 from the line.

The Lady Bear Facts

St. Joseph's is led by senior Samantha Retas, who leads the team with an average of 13.6 points per game and is second in the HVIAC with 13.9 rebounds per contest. The forward has notched ten double-doubles this season is second most in the HVIAC.

Senior Taylor Raccuglia is currently is third on the team averaging 12.3 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per contest and second on the team with 3.9 assists per game, putting herself fifth in the HVIAC. The senior is coming off the best game of her career, scoring a career-high 30 points and also added nine rebounds and seven assists in the victory.

Destiny Marino is second on the Lady Bears with 12.8 points per game, third on the team with 7.4 rebounds per game, and a team-best 4.2 assists per game that is third in the HVIAC. The freshman is also second in the HVIAC with 44.3% shooting. She has now scored double figures in 14 consecutive contests, averaging 13.6 points per contest during the streak.

Lady Bears Last Time Out

St. Joseph's shattered single-game and individual records as they defeated USCAA foe Briarcliffe, 94-71, at the Hill Center on Friday night. Taylor Raccuglia scored a career-high 30 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists, while Samantha Simon established career highs in points (15), rebounds (six) and assists (four).

Destiny Marino surpassed her career highs with 18 points and eight assists. Samantha Retas recorded her tenth double-double of the season, tallying 18 points and grabbing 16 boards.

Bear Witness to History

Following Samantha Retas' record-breaking game against Vaughn, the Lady Bears broke three more single-game school records in the win against Briarcliffe on Friday night. The team set highs in points (94), field goals made (42) and assists (31), all previously set in a win against Yeshiva on February 14, 2006.

Raccuglia and Marino Earn USCAA, AD3I and HVIAC Accolades

Taylor Raccuglia averaged 26.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists over two games last week and receives USCAA and AD3I honors for the second time in her career.

Destiny Marino averaged 17.5 points, 7.5 assists and 6.0 rebounds to collect her third HVIAC Rookie of the Week honor this season.

Cub Scouting

Medgar Evers are led on the offensive side is junior Nia Tompkins, who averages a team-high 11.5 points per game along with 4.6 rebounds per contest. On the rebounding end, sophomore Kimonia Mullings tops the team with 9.9 boards per contest, which is tied for third in the CUNYAC and also chips in with 7.5 points. Freshman Jade Venson is second on the team with both 11.3 points per game and 9.4 boards.

Medgar Evers Last Time Out

The Cougars dropped a decision on the road to Lehman College, 81-27, on Saturday night. Nia Tompkins topped the team with seven points and grabbed six rebounds and dished out an assist in a losing effort. Sophomore Kiwelewa Mlimwengu scored six points and grabbed a team high 12 rebounds, while guard Ashley Desir led the team in assists with four.

Next Up for the Lady Bears – Valley Forge Christian

The Lady Bears will face off with Valley Forge Christian on Saturday, January 31st as the first part of the Alumni Day doubleheader festivities with the men's team. Tip time for the women's game is at 5:00 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at SJCBears.com.