Daily Word: First Impressions

We know many of you may be travelling today, so first and foremost, safe travels to everyone. Hopefully the few minutes you spend with us today will get you a little closer to all the America East action. Yesterday, we took a look at some early season men's basketball statistics from Albany, Binghamton and Boston U. Today, let's flip the script and take a look at the women's side of things, as we continue to make our way through the conference in this series here at AExtra.

Albany

Albany's Julie Forster

The Great Danes, picked to repeat as champions and armed with two preseason all-conference selections, are 2-1 early. Helping them win two out of their first three is a familiar face, Julie Forster. Forster is one of two players in the conference averaging a double-double so far, coming in with per-game averages of 10.3 points and 11.3 rebounds. A graduate student, Forster is also second in the conference in blocked shots and offensive rebounds and is in the top 10 in minutes played. This comes as no surprise to anyone, but the former walk-on is at the very center of everything Albany is trying to do. Don't expect this to change.

Also helping out early on is senior Lindsey Lowrie, who is making three treys per contest so far, shooting a ridiculous 52.9 percent from downtown to lead the conference. The marksmen was a 35.9 percent shooter from three last year, so it's no surprise to see her have a hot stretch like this. Lowrie also leads the Great Danes in scoring so far at 11.7 per game.

Binghamton

Earlier this week, Bearcats' sophomore Sherae Swinson poured in a career-high 23 points. The forward has made her mark so far, ranking eighth in the conference in scoring at 12 per game. Swinson has also been excellent at the charity stripe, making nine of her 10 free throws so far. If Binghamton can continue to put her in position to get to the line, she should continue to be dangerous.

At 5 foot 8 inches, junior guard Jasbriell Swain is not necessarily who would expect to be second in the conference in defensive rebounding. But at 7.0 boards per contest, Swain trails on Forster. This is no accident either. Last season Swain was second on her team, bringing down 6.4 boards per game. Having a guard that rebounds well is a huge luxury and something that the Bearcats definitely have.

Boston U'.s Chantell Alford

Boston U.

Chantell Alford has been nothing short of sensational so far for the Terriers. The America East Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks to begin the year, Alford leads the conference in scoring at 21.3 per game. The senior averaged 12.4 per contest last season, but has taken a big step forward so far this year and against some quality opponents too. Don't be surprised to see her scoring output near this level for the rest of the year.

When you're a scorer, it always helps to have a point guard that gets you the ball in the right spot. That's exactly what Alford and the Terriers have in senior floor general Mo Moran. Moran leads the conference in assists while also posting a 2.6 assist to turnover ration. Boston U. fans must be loving watching their seniors play so far.

Linked Up

Stony Brook athletics is lending a hand this holiday season, helping out at the Bethpage Turkey Drive.

Boston U. athletes are also in the Thanksgiving spirit, distributing turkeys to local families.

If you haven't seen it already, you've got to check out the Fall Championships recap on AmericaEast.com.

What's Next?

Men's Basketball

Yale at Vermont, 7 p.m.
Maine at Seton Hall, 7 p.m.
New Hampshire at NJIT, 7:30 p.m.

Women's Basketball

Vermont at Jacksonville, 7 p.m.
Hartford at Massachusetts, 7 p.m.
Albany at Michigan St., 7 p.m.