The Marist women's basketball team hits the road Friday night for the first of three straight away games, looking to start 9-0 in the MAAC for the fifth time in six years as they travel to Iona to play the Gaels. Since finishing 5-6 in the non-conference portion of their schedule, the Red Foxes have won their last eight games in the friendly confines of the MAAC, averaging 67 points per game while giving up less than 52 PPG. Marist has won 32 straight games against conference opponents, including the postseason.

Last Time Out

• Marist women's basketball team held off a late Loyola charge for a 70-62 victory in a ESPNU College Basketball Built by the Home Depot contest Friday night at McCann Arena
• Brandy Gang scored a game-high 20 points, hitting 12 of 14 free throws to reach the 20 point mark, which tied her career-high that she set against Niagara earlier in the week. She also finished one rebound short of a double-double, pulling down nine boards. Leanne Ockenden had 12 points, including hitting a personal best four three-pointers, and set a career-high with eight rebounds. Casey Dulin added 14 points and seven rebounds and Kelsey Beynnon contributed with 11 points and six boards. As a team, Marist out-rebounded Loyola 43-37, including 13 on the offensive glass.

SCOUTING THE GAELS

• Iona comes into Friday at 3rd in the MAAC with a 6-2 conference record and 10-9 overall. They have won four consecutive games, and six of seven.
• The Gaels are led offensively by freshman Damika Martinez who is tied for 3rd in the MAAC with 15.2 PPG.
• Tomica Bacic is the team leader with 7.1 RPG, which is good for 5th in the league. Suzi Fregosi leads the conference, averaging 4.8 APG. Sabrina Jeridore is second in the MAAC with 30 blocks this season.

HISTORY LESSON - MARIST VS. IONA

• This will be the 37th meeting all-time between the Red Foxes and Gaels and first of two scheduled meetings this season. The two teams will play again in Poughkeepsie in the Red Foxes' Senior Day on Thursday, Feb. 26.
• Marist leads the all-time series 27-9 and Head Coach Brian Giorgis is a perfect 22-0 in his career against Iona, including victories in the 2007 and 2008 MAAC Championship Games. The Red Foxes have won the past 24 meetings going back to the 2000-01 season. Last year, Marist won both regular season games, 73-43 at home, and 56-45 in New Rochelle.

FAST-BREAK POINTS

• In the latest MAAC statistics leaderboard, Yarde is in the top 5 in several categories. She is tied for 3rd in scoring average (15.2 PPG), second in assist/turnover ratio (2.0)and assists (4.5 APG) and tied for fourth in blocked shots (1.1). Additionally, Brandy Gang is second in field goal percentage (.473) and Leanne Ockenden is right behind her in third (.463).
• The Red Foxes are currently on a 32-game winning streak against MAAC opponents. They are just the second school in league history to reach such a plateau. The Red Foxes won 35 straight games between the 2006-07 and 2008-09 seasons. Siena is the next closest, having won 29 consecutive games during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons.

WITH CONFERENCE COMES CONFIDENCE

• In the eight games since MAAC play started, the Red Foxes have seen increased performances from nearly every player. Three starters are boasting shooting percentages above .500 - Brandy Gang (.557), Leanne Ockenden (.533) and Kelsey Beynnon (.508).
• Additionally, players are now averaging more than three rebounds per game. Corielle Yarde (7.3) leads the pack, followed by Casey Dulin (5.0), Beynnon (4.5) and Ockenden (3.5).
• As a team, Marist is shooting 45% in conference play so far, and have hit 32% of their shots from downtown. The defense has also picked up, averaging 8.9 steals per game and forcing opponents into 18.4 turnovers per game.

NEW YEAR, EVEN BETTER RESULTS

• A new calendar year has traditionally brought good results for the Red Foxes. Since the 2004-05 season, Marist is an astounding 66-4 in the first month of the year, including 8-0 this season.
• Last season, the Red Foxes were a perfect 10-0 in January. In fact, three of the past seven seasons have seen Marist put together a perfect January record.

NOTHING TO HANG YOUR HEAD ABOUT

• Of Marist's six losses this year, three of them have come against oppenents that are currently garnering national attention. St. Bonaventure (42), Kansas State (27) and Princeton (10) are all receiving votes in the latest AP Top 25 Poll.
• In the latest RPI Rankings, the Red Foxes came in at 48th. Five of the six teams they have lost to this year come in ahead of them, led by Kansas State (11), Villanova (15) and Princeton (24) in the top 25. St. Bonaventure (26) and Hofstra (46) also come ahead of Marist.

NOT TOO SHABBY ON THE ROAD

• Playing on the road has not proven to be a problem for the Red Foxes since Giorgis took over the program before the 2002-03 season. In his tenure, Marist is an impressive 132-52 (.717) away from McCann Arena.
• Last season the Red Foxes went 21-2 in non-home games. Their two losses came against #14 St. John's in the first game of the season and #6 Duke in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
• Thus far this season, Marist is 6-4 outside of Poughkeepsie.