JUNIOR DUO
    Junior guards Kay Donahue and Sauda Ntaconayigize have been constant threats from three-point range this season, shooting 40 and 32 percent respectively. Donahue has been a main option on offense through Lafayette's first six games, but Ntaconayigize can also score the ball, averaging 7.3 points per outing.Both Leopards are shooting 80 percent or better from the foul line.

SCOUTING MONMOUTH
    The Hawks have started the 2024-25 season with a 1-6 record, collecting their first win in their last game (59-50) versus St. Peter's. Monmouth's 2023-24 season ended in the second round of the WNIT Tournament in a 69-65 overtime loss at Duquesne. Sunday's meeting is the 10th series meeting, after the Leopards fell short in Easton (68-47) last season.    
    Damaris Rodriguez (27) and Taisha Exanor (14) were the Hawks' leading scorers against St. Peter's, finishing with 27 and 14 points. Rodriguez leads Monmouth in scoring, averaging 15.3 and Exanor is right behind her with 12.1 ppg.   
    The Hawks got some additional offensive production from Belle Kranbuhl (6) and Divine Dibula (6) against St. Peter's, both scoring six points. Kranbuhl tacked on five boards, three blocks and a steal in 19 minutes of action. Monmouth shot 52.1 percent from the field, 41.7 percent from downtown and 57.1 percent from the charity stripe. Out of Monmouth's 59 points, 32 of them came from in the paint. 

LAST TIME OUT
    After facing back-to-back nationally-ranked opponents (No. 6 Notre Dame and No. 13 West Virginia) Lafayette traveled to NJIT and battled the hosts to a 71-69 nail-biting victory. Junior forward Emma Shields had a big outing for the Leopards, recording a career-high 11 rebounds while matching her career-high of 12 points.

DIALED IN FROM DOWNTOWN
    As a team, the Leopards ranked third in the Patriot League in three-point percentage last season and they've carried that success into this year, shooting 40.9 percent from distance in their first game against Boston College. Last year's pace was strong enough to rank in the sixth spot in the program's all-time single-season three-point field goal percentage record.

DAZZLING DONAHUE
    Junior guard Kay Donahue is averaging 12.0 points per game and leads the team in rebounds per game, averaging 5.7 per outing. In the team's games against No. 6 Notre Dame and NJIT, the Belle Mead, N.J. native notched her career-high of 18 points and she drained eight field goals against the Irish. Donahue's points and rebounds averages rank her 14th and 11th amongst her Patriot League foes. 

MAKING HISTORY
    The Leopards' home contest vs. No. 6 Notre Dame (11/17) was the first time Lafayette women's basketball hosted a nationally-ranked opponent within the 
Patriot League era.

UP NEXT
    Lafayette returns to Kirby Sports Center at 6 p.m. on Wednesday as it hosts FDU to start a three-game home stand. 
ANTOGNOLI AVERAGES
    On her way to her second consecutive All-Patriot League Third-Team selection, senior guard Abby Antognoli was a focal point of the Leopards' offense last season. The Economics major averages a team-high 12.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 2.8 apg and is ranked ninth in the conference in assists and 12th in scoring.  

FRESH FACES
    The Leopards added four newcomers in the offseason. Junior forward Mingaile Urmuleviciute joined the program after leaving UNC Wilmington and sophomore sharp shooter Rosie Scognamiglio comes from Patriot League foe Bucknell. In addition to the transfers, Coach Damon-Olson recruited two 
freshmen. Talia Zurinskas is a 5-7 guard from Parkland High School in Allentown, Pa. and 6-2 forward Jordyn Mays hails from William B. Travis in Richmond, Texas. 

NEW STAFF
    Coach Damon-Olson hired two new assistant coaches during the offseason. Jamarra Robinson joined the staff in July after previously serving as head coach at Indian River State College. Lauren Hammersley is also new to College Hill this year and she'll double as an assistant coach and the program's director of operations.

RECENT RENOVATIONS
    Kirby Sports Center, the Leopards' home arena, has seen major upgrades over the past year. A state-of-the art Daktronics control and video display system can now be seen above center court, showcasing promotional team videos and updated branding to enhance the fan experience. By featuring Daktronics' latest version of Show and Venus Control Suite, it allows Lafayette to expand on in-game presentations. Lafayette fans may order birthday video board messages for display during the remaining home basketball games at tinyurl.com/yslx5esh.

EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMICS
    Lafayette's athletic programs stood out among the nation's best last fall in the NCAA's Division I annual Graduation Success Rate (GSR) release. College Hill claimed a 97 percent GSR overall for the second straight year based on the 19 sports measured while 16 Leopard teams, including women's basketball, achieved a graduation success rate of 100 percent.