Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136

CONTACT: Jerry Reilly,
Sports Information Director

DATE: Thurs., Feb. 8, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Preview

Basketball teams at home Saturday vs. SUNYIT

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Fredonia State plays host to SUNYIT in women's and men's basketball Saturday night.

The women's game starts at 6 p.m. inside the Steele Hall Fieldhouse. The men's scheduled tip-off is 8 p.m. It's the home stretch of the season, with each Blue Devil team having four conference games remaining.

The women (8-11, 4-8 SUNYAC) head into the weekend in eighth place in the SUNYAC standings. The top eight teams qualify for the conference tournament, which starts Feb. 20. In addition, Fredonia State will be looking to avenge a 64-57 loss when the teams met Jan. 26 at Utica.

"The conference this season," head coach Donna Wise said, "has been extremely competitive so these last four games will be about turning in a strong performance each night we get on the court to compete. If we do this we will be a tough team to beat."

On the men's side, the Blue Devils (5-15, 2-10 SUNYAC) are grasping onto diminishing playoff hopes. They are last of 11 conference teams and two games out of the eighth spot. Winning three of their final four SUNYAC games would leave the Blue Devils with a mathematical chance at the postseason. Winning all four would guarantee a playoff spot.

"Two of the four remaining teams we play (Buffalo State and Cortland)," head coach Kevin Moore said, "are in contention also for the same eighth spot so it will be a very motivating factor when we take the court against them. It all starts with SUNYIT on Saturday night. We didn't play very good defense against them earlier this season (a 72-56 loss) and aggressive defense will set the tone for us in this game."

Notes: NCAA Division III stats released this week lists two Fredonia State women among the nation's leaders. Senior point guard Karolyn Baker (Olean/Olean) is No. 17 in assists per game (5.63). She leads the SUNYAC in the category. Also, junior forward Cheryl Kindzia (Williamsville/Williamsville North) 28th in FG percentage (54.7%), 57th in blocked shots per game (1.89), and 97th in scoring average (16.1).

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