USCAA Nationals Round 1 Preview
United State Collegiate Athletic Association
Division 2 Women's Basketball National Tournament
March 3-7 in Uniontown, PA - Hosted by Penn State Fayette
Round 1 Matchup - Thursday, March 5 at 9:30 PM in Maltho Gymnasium
#4 Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (15-8)
vs.
#5 Penn State Hazleton (19-6)
Last week, the fifth ranked Penn State Hazleton Lady Lions earned their first ever bid to play in the USCAA National Tournament. Coming off a loss in the Penn State University Athletic Conference title game, Hazleton has had a week to rest and practice, and is ready to hit the hardwood once again. On Thursday, Hazleton will face off against 4th ranked Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Maltho Gymnasium at 9:30 PM in Uniontown, PA.
The Panthers of Albany are no stranger to USCAA post-season play. In 2013 the Panthers won the USCAA Tournament and lost a tight semi-final game in 2014. This year, ACPHS has been ranked in the top ten of the USCAA coaches poll all season after returning nine of ten players from the previous year. The Panthers are a battle-tested group, having faced off against 12 NCAA Division 3 schools in 2014-15 and losing to just two USCAA opponents (Berkeley and St. Joes VT), both ranked number one in the coaches poll at the time of play. Like Hazleton, Albany has two 1,000 point scorers on its roster in Alexa Schooley and Taylor Sullivan. Both Players were honored as USCAA All-Americans in 2014.
Coach Andrew Pelletier:
"We made a goal last year after our tough loss to UC Clermont in the semi-finals, we vowed we would be back and vowed we would do what it takes to be back in the Nationals. Its a true testament to the hard work these student athletes put in on a daily basis that were back as a program for a third straight year. We are proud of them and looking forward to competing at Nationals."
"Coach Fulton seems to do a really good job at Hazleton. We are really impressed with their team work and their ball movement. They play like a true team. They have multiple 1,000 point scorers and they are a great rebounding and defensive team that had a lot of success this year in the PSUAC. They have the player of the year in the PSUAC and they have plenty of kids who can contribute. "
Albany players to watch:
Alexa Schooley: The junior graduate student averages nearly a double-double per contest for the panthers at 13.3 points and 9 rebounds per game. 2014 USCAA first team All-American.
Kelsey Johnson: The Panthers leading shot-blocker averages 2.5 blocks per game, and is the teams second leading scorer at 13 points per contest. In 2014, Kelsey was named second team USCAA All-American.
Taylor Sullivan: USCAA All-American honorable mention in 2014, Sullivan rounds out the offense for Albany College. Sullivan averages 11.2 points per game and secures 8.4 rebounds a game. Sullivan enters the tournament coming off a season high 24 point output in the HVIAC conference championship.
Most of the Lady Lions are new to the USCAA spotlight. Junior forward Alexis Daly has twice visited the USCAA Nationals to be honored as an All-American, but this will be her first opportunity to make headlines in the tournament. Hazleton finished an outstanding regular season with a trip to its first PSUAC Championship game. The Lady Lions have experienced interior play with two 1,000 point scorers in forwards Taylor Cannon and Alexis Daly. Guards Christine Soltys, Stephanie Guevara and Kyana Willoughby will need to contribute on the exterior to relieve pressure on the inside game. Hazleton will count on its effective defense and rebounding prowess to force one and done possessions and create easy scores on the offensive end.
Coach Cy Fulton:
"We need to raise the level of our game - G's need to shoot well, and our F's have to control the inside. Albany is a very good defensive team, so we have to attack and put pressure on their them."
Hazleton players to watch:
Taylor Cannon: The Senior forward enters the USCAA tournament coming off a season high 31 points in the PSUAC Conference Championship. In her last 3 post-season games, Cannon is averaging 19.3 points and 11 rebounds per game while shooting 85 percent from the free throw line.
Alexis Daly: The two-time first team USCAA All-American enters the game averaging a double-double at 16.6 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Daly led all scorers in the PSUAC with 416 points on the season and is poised to become Hazleton's all-time leading scorer.
Stephanie Guevara: The Lady Lions need production from their third leading scorer to advance deep in the tournament. Guevara averages 9.5 points along with 6.6 rebounds per game. The sophomore guard has the ability to penetrate defenses, score at the hoop and dish to the forwards.