The University of Dayton women’s basketball team plays its final regular season home game Wednesday, Feb. 22 against Xavier at UD Arena. The Flyers (18-6, 10-2 Atlantic 10) are currently third in the league and have clinched a first-round bye in the 2012 Buick Atlantic 10 Conference Women’s Basketball Championship in Philadelphia March 2-5. The Musketeers (7-18, 4-8 A-10) are currently 10th in the conference standings. The top 12 teams advance to the conference tournament. UD won the first meeting over Xavier this season, a 74-65 victory at the Cintas Center on Feb. 5.
FLYER FACTS
Dayton leads the Atlantic 10 in scoring (70.9 ppg), scoring margin (+10.9) and assists (16.2 apg) and is second in blocked shots (4.0 bpg) and turnover margin (+4.1). Senior Justine Raterman leads the Flyers with 13.5 ppg (9th in A-10) and 6.3 rpg. Patrice Lalor leads the Flyers in assists with 109 (3rd in A-10), while senior Elle Queen leads UD in steals with 49 (4th in A-10). With a win against Xavier, the Flyers will tie the UD women’s basketball program record for Atlantic 10 victories in a season. Dayton also reached 11 wins during the 2009-10 season.
SCOUTING THE MUSKETEERS
Xavier is led by senior Tyeasha Moss who puts up 13.8 ppg (6th in A-10). Junior post player Jessica Pachko leads the Musketeers in rebounding (8.0 rpg – T-4th in A-10) and blocked shots (18), plus adds 10.5 ppg. Sophomore Lynette Holmes puts up 12.0 ppg for XU. Sophomore Shatyra Hawkes leads the Musketeers in assists with 82. Xavier leads the Atlantic 10 in defensive rebounds with 27.5 per game.
UP NEXT
The Flyers close out the regular season on the road at Duquesne this Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m.
PLAY 4KAY
The Flyers wore pink uniforms in three games this season to promote breast cancer research. Dayton unveiled the uniforms against St. Bonaventure. UD also donned the jerseys at La Salle on Feb. 15 and in their home game against Saint Louis on Feb. 18. An auction for the jerseys and shorts was held. Winners will be notified following the season. The mission of the initiative, which was brought to life in 2007: a nation of coaches raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is the official charity of the initiative.
LAST TIME OUT
Dayton rolled to a 72-54 win against Saint Louis Billikens on senior day at UD Arena Feb. 18. Dayton had a balanced scoring attack, which was led by senior Patrice Lalor and freshman Andrea Hoover’s 14 points. Senior Casey Nance also scored in double figures with 11 points.
HOOVER AND RATERMAN COMBINE FOR 42 IN WIN OVER LA SALLE
The Flyers overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to defeat La Salle 58-49 Feb. 15 at Tom Gola Arena. UD outscored La Salle 36-16 in the second half to pull out the Atlantic 10 victory. Freshman Andrea Hoover tied her career high with 22 points and pulled down a career-high nine rebounds to pace UD. Senior Justine Raterman 20 points and equaled her career high with three blocked shots.
VOTE FOR JUSTINE
Dayton’s Justine Raterman is a Lowe’s Senior CLASS Top 10 finalist. Your vote can make the difference! Fan balloting counts for one third of the total vote, with the remaining two thirds determined by NCAA Division I coaches and national media members. You can vote daily at seniorclassaward.com/vote/ and Facebook: facebook.com/LowesSeniorCLASSAward.
