Hey everybody.  Erica here.  It's been a long time and many things have happened since you last heard from us.  Were coming to the end of our regular season and were looking for momentum going into the MAAC conference tournament in Albany.  The past five games we went 5-1 against Canisius, Loyola, Fairfield, Hartford and most recently Manhattan.  For the second straight year we went 9-0 in road conference games and with our last win we clinched a share of the MAAC regular season title.  We want to win the title outright and with two games left we only need one win, but obviously we want to win both games.
  A few weeks ago we had our pack the house night against Canisius and we sold our gym out.  Unfortunately we didn't play well and lost the game 68-60.  Before this game Rachele Fitz was awarded in front of the sell out crowd for becoming the Marist all time leading scorer.  This was the second league loss for us and it really opened up our eyes.  In the next practice we talked about things that need to change and we went all the way back to the fundamentals of basketball of staying in a defensive stance and sliding our feet.  We came back that Sunday for a home game against Loyola and won 86-53.   Coach was pleased with the game because we played with energy and kept our feet moving the entire game.  Our next game the following Thursday was against Fairfield who beat us a few weeks before that.  This was a revenge game and everyone including coach seemed to be pumped up during the practices leading to the game.  We came out with a lot of energy and beat them 64-52 on their home court.  That victory gave us a one game lead in the MAAC with three to play.  The final conference game we played in this past stretch was at Manhattan.  We won 91-82 but we played a terrible defensive game and it was dissappointing to give up 82 points.  But with the win it gave us a Share of the MAAC Regular season title.
  The game we played before Manhattan was a non-league game against Hartford, another team that beat us last year and we were looking for revenge.  Last year they ended our home win streak and we were looking to do the same to their 34 game home win streak.  They have been one of the top mid-major programs the past years and it was a huge game for us on ESPN2.  It was a pink zone game and both teams were wearing pink uniforms to honor the fight against breast cancer.  It was a close game the whole way and with two Lynzee Johnson free throws the game went into overtime.  Overtime turned out to be our time and we went on to win the game 78-73.  One of the highlights of overtime besides being ahead was when Lynzee Johnson stepped to the free throw line and airballed!  On national T.V she laughed as did most of the people in the building but it was a classic.  The coaches were happy with the way we battled and played with energy, and it was nice to get revenge on them and end their home win streak.   A few days later we heard that Coach Giorgis had won "best dressed" for the men during the pink zones game because he wore all pink instead of a pink tie.  I don't think he stopped smiling that practice.
  To wrap it up I'm getting ready to head to the gym because we have a home game against Siena.  With a win we would become MAAC Regular Season Champs with one game left.  Wish us luck and we are hoping to bring another regular season title to Marist!

Erica Allenspach
  

Hey all ! Maria here=]

           Its been sometime since we've blogged, the last 2 weeks have really been like a whirlwind. Things have been pretty hectic with the start up of school and the Fairfield game. Losing is something that the Red Foxes aren't really accustomed too, but it was something we definitely needed to bring us back down to earth. When I think about the game I think about all the adversity we faced, what with the close game at Siena, and the fact that we only had about 8 or so girls at practice at one point that week. And despite, the hevy legs and the stress from school, we still managed to be right in the game. Unfortunatly for us, fate would have Fairfield playing the game of their life. The aftermath of that game would result in us losing our nationally ranked spot. To be honest though, I think we gained much more than we lost. Not that i nesscarly want to thank Fairfield for beating us at home. The only word I can describe for what they did was make us all "angry". Now tell me if you have ever seen an angry Red Fox? Im pretty sure it wont be so cute. haha I think that game is exactly what we needed to help us keep going.
            On a lighter note, a much lighter note, a PINK note to be exact, our breast cancer awareness game was so much fun. All of us were extremly excited to be strutting our stuff on the court in those coooool pink uni's! But I think what made the night extra special was our guest coach, a breast cancer survivor. Right before Coach's pre-game talk, she opened up to us all and shared her story about her fight with Breast Cancer. It made all of us very greatfull and very much aware of the struggles women face, and the strength we have to overcome adversity. That game was played for them without a doubt.
            Now that were all caught up, we can talk about whats been going on recently. Classes have started again, and Erica and I are taking a class called Research Methods, personally it should be called Death. lol Its terrible, but were getting through it. The team is finally back together; Britt, Emily, and Kristine are back in action! Our next feat is when we play Canisus tomorrow night at pack the house. From what Ive been hearing its already sold out!!! We are so excited and cant wait to play infront of that crowd.

                                                                                     Til next week,
                                                                                          Maria