HOME OPENER
    Saturday's meeting will be the second time both teams have faced one another in their respective histories after the Leopards won in a nail-biter last season.

SCOUTING ST. FRANCIS
    The Red Flash started the 2024-25 
season with an 80-60 loss against NJIT. St. Francis' 2023-24 season ended in the first round of the Northeast Conference Tournament in a 78-48 loss to #1 Sacred Heart.
    Monday's meeting is the second time both teams have clashed in their respective histories, after the Leopards got the better of the Red Flash in Loretto last season (60-58). Marissa Shelton and Harris Robinson were the Red Flash's leading scorers against the Highlanders, finishing with eight points apiece. Shelton and Robinson both shot over 50 percent from the floor and six of Shelton's points were from beyond the arc .
    The Red Flash scored 60 points in their first game, while allowing NJIT 80. St. Francis got good offensive production from Kameryn Dorsey, Yanessa Boyd and Julianna Gibson, who all finished with seven points. The Red Flash shot 46.8 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from downtown and 73.3 percent from the charity stripe in the loss.  

LAST TIME OUT
    The Leopards traveled to Chestnut Hill, Mass. on Monday (11/4) to face Boston College. Lafayette led 14-9 after 10 minutes, but the Eagles' size and offensive prowess led the hosts to an 85-55 victory.  Abby Antognoli and Kay Donahue both finished with 14 points for the Leopards.

INJURY REPORT
    Juniors Emma Shields, Mingaile Urmulevciute and freshman Jordyn Mays will all miss today's contest due to injury. 

DIALED IN FROM DOWNTOWN
    As a team, Lafayette ranked third in the Patriot League in team three-point percentage last season and they've carried that success into this year, shooting 40.9 percent from distance 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.

POST-SEASON AWARDS
    Senior guard Abby Antognoli was named to the All-Patriot League Third Team last season for the second year running. The Bay Head, N.J. native was also selected to the Patriot League All-Academic Team and she is a CSC Academic All-District Team selection.

MAROON MADNESS
    On Oct. 28 Lafayette hosted its second annual Maroon Madness at Kirby Sports Center. The evening featured introductions of both basketball teams, a three-point contest, a knockout challenge with members of Greek Life.
UP NEXT
Lafayette travels to Marist on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. tip-off in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

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 averaged 12.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 3.1 apg during her junior campaign, ranking 13th in scoring and fifth in assists in the conference.

SENIOR SNIPER
    Senior guard Halee Smith lit up the floor from three-point range in her junior season. The Alexandria, Pa. native's 42.0 three-point shooting percentage ranked third among all players in the Patriot League in 2023-24.

STARTING FIVE
    Lafayette used the same starting lineup for 12 of its 29 contests last season: guards Abby Antognoli, Makayla Andrews and Kylie Favours, forwards Halee Smith and Kayla Drummond. The Leopards first starting five of 2024-25 featured Abby Antognoli, Emma Shields, Teresa Kiewiet, Sauda Ntaconayigize and Halee Smith.

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, after the departure of Jacinda Dunbar. 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 98 percent GSR overall for the second straight year based on the 19 sports measured while 17 Leopard teams, including men's basketball, achieved a graduation success rate of 100 percent.