March 16, 2011

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's women's basketball team begins its quest for the Women's National Invitation Tournament title this Thursday as the Hawks host VCU in a First Round contest at 7 p.m. at Hagan Arena. The game will be streamed for free on www.sjuhawks.com.

Saint Joseph's Game Notes

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Live Audio

GAME STORIES . . .
• The Hawks are making their eighth WNIT appearance and seventh under head coach Cindy Griffin. Saint Joseph's has previously earned bids in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2010 with the Hawks advancing to the quarterfinals in 2004. SJU has posted a 5-7 mark in the WNIT.
• Thursday's contest is a rematch of last years' WNIT First Round game in which VCU topped SJU, 74-63, at Hagan Arena. Full boxscore and recap on page two.
• The Rams lead the all-time series 3-0, with all three contests being decided by 11 points or less. VCU is the only team the Hawks have played this year that they have never beaten.
• VCU's Courtney Hurt will be the third opposing player SJU has faced this season that ranks among the national leaders in double-doubles. She enters Thursday's game with a NCAA-leading 25. The Hawks have also faced Xavier's Ta'Shia Phillips (21/T-2nd) and Amber Harris (18/T-9th) twice this season.
• The Hawks are one of eight Atlantic 10 teams to earn postseason bids this year - three (Xavier, Temple, Dayton) made the NCAA Tournament; and five (SJU, Charlotte, Duquesne, Richmond, St. Bonaventure) are in the WNIT.
• Saint Joseph's went 1-1 at the A-10 Tournament, topping La Salle 79-55, before falling to #6 Xavier, 71-55, in the Quarterfinals.

SJU'S WNIT ALL-TIME RESULTS
1998 - First Round at Philadelphia, Pa.
Saint Joseph's 77 / American 68
Second Round at University Park, Pa.
Penn State 72 / Saint Joseph's 59
2002 - First Round at Philadelphia, Pa.
Saint Joseph's 84 / Siena 55
Second Round at Burlington, Vt.
Vermont 60 / Saint Joseph's 55
2003 - First Round at Philadelphia, Pa.
Saint Joseph's 65 / Delaware 47
Second Round at Philadelphia, Pa.
Richmond 56 / Saint Joseph's 53
2004 - First Round at Philadelphia, Pa.
Saint Joseph's 61 / Kent State 51
Second Round at Philadelphia, Pa.
Saint Joseph's 68 / Seton Hall 61 (OT)
Quarterfinals at Ames, Iowa
Iowa State 66 / Saint Joseph's 58
2006 - First Round at Charlottesville, Va.
Virginia 48 / Saint Joseph's 42
2007 - First Round at Philadelphia, Pa.
Coppin State 67 / Saint Joseph's 52
2010 - First Round at Philadelphia, Pa.
VCU 74 / Saint Joseph's 63
Totals - Won 5, Lost 7 (seven appearances)

Series History - Saint Joseph's vs. VCU
All-Time Series: VCU Leads 3-0
First Meeting: 2/7/81, SJU, 80-52
Last Meeting: 1/30/10, SJU, 63-47
Last SJU Win: --
Last VCU Win: 1/14/09, 66-60
Current SJU Streak: L-3

Previous Games vs. VCU
Date - Score - Site
11/19/06 - L, 60-59 - Away
11/18/07 - L, 54-47 - Home
3/18/10 - L, 74-63 - Home (WNIT)