The Friday Fives

We hope everyone enjoyed numerous servings of turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, or whatever you and your family love to eat on Thanksgiving. After a day of football and napping, it's time to get back into the swing of things here at the America East. Teams are in action today and throughout the weekend and we've got the Friday Fives geared up and ready to go. Enjoy!

>

Marquee Matchups

WBB; VCU at Maine, Saturday 1 p.m.

Maine will host one of the newest Atlantic 10 Conference members on Saturday. The Black Bears will be playing for the first time since the Subway Classic, where they knocked off UNLV.

MBB; Central Connecticut St. at Hartford, Saturday 4 p.m.

A pair of in-state rivals will do battle on Saturday afternoon. Hartford is 1-1 this season against foes from the state of Connecticut, after beating Sacred Heart and dropping a close game to Quinnipiac.

WBB: Boston U. at Michigan, Saturday 4 p.m.

The Terriers make a trip out to the Wolverine State to take on Eastern Michigan and then the Wolverines themselves on Saturday. Boston U. is 2-2 on the season.

MBB: Stony Brook at (23) Connecticut, Sunday 4 p.m.

The Seawolves will be the second America East team to try their hand at UConn this season, after Vermont fell to the Huskies earlier this season. Stony Brook will be playing Canisius the day before.

WBB: (16) St. John's at Hartford, Sunday 2 p.m.

The undefeated Hawks will have a great test when the Red Storm comes into West Hartford this weekend. Hartford is 5-0 for the first time in program history.

The Numbers Game

4: The number of America East field hockey players who finished the season in the top 50 in the NCAA for points per game. Fairfield's Felicitas Heinen led the way at 22nd (1.90/gm) and was joined in the top 50 by a trio of Albany players: Daphne Voormolen, Jessica Longstreth and Corrine McConville

2: The number of players from Albany that finished top 10 in the country for assists per game. Jessica Longstreth was fifth with .81 per game while freshman Laura Page was tied for seventh with .75 per game.

Albany had several players on the NCAA leaderboards.

1.24: This is was the goals against average for Albany goalie Kristi Troch. She was fifth in the NCAA for that statistic. Number six on the list? Boston U. goalie Jess Maroney, who compiled a 1.26 GAA.

60: Just two America East men's basketball teams are giving up fewer than 60 points per game: Stony Brook (56) and Vermont (56.8).

+10: The Hartford women (WBB) have by far the best scoring margin in the conference at +10. Next closest is New Hampshire at +1.3.

Linked Up

The Albany men had a big win over South Carolina St. earlier this week and the Albany Times Union blog takes a look at that win and more.

Any Star Trek fans out there? Stony Brook is bringing the Holodeck one step closer to reality.

The head coach of Binghamton's opponent this weekend, Marywood, has a connection to Coach Dempsey that goes back a long way.

The Maine women's basketball team is using a tough non-conference schedule to get ready for league play.

Hartford has been selected to play in the 2013 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament.

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.

Daily Word: First Impressions

Albany's Mike Black

The first few weeks of any season are always interesting for a few reasons. First, it's exciting to get a look at everyone coming out of training camp, summer workouts and etc. What changes have been made to personnel and offensive/defensive strategies? All over the country, new coaches are out to make a good first impression and the America East is no exception.

What's the other thing? Most teams have played three or four games at this point. In any sport, it's human nature to take a peak at the stat sheet. And it's incredibly easy to draw conclusions from those first few games, right or wrong. What's funny is that when you have nothing else to reference, these stats take on a whole new meaning. For example, if Player A (who averaged 12 ppg a year earler) goes his first three games without reaching double figures, people may start to ask questions. What's wrong with A? Why isn't he scoring more? Now, take that same three game lull, but put it between games 20 and 23, when the player has already put together an extended stretch of good offense. People don't think much of it then, do they?

That's the thing about early season stats -- it's so hard to put your finger on exactly what they mean. But they are there, nonetheless, and we're going to look at them anyway. So let's take a look at the stat sheets and get first impressions from around the league with the perspective, of course, that things can and will change.

Over the next few weeks, we'll take a look at each team to get a sense of the dynamic early on. We'll start with the men and go in alphabetical order, then move on to the women. Look for these posts on Tuesday's and Wednesday's.

Albany

Last season the Great Danes had three players in the top 10 in points per game in the America East. With some departures before the 2012-13 season, there were questions about who would step up and fill that void. Truth be told, it's been a two-headed monster for Albany thus far.

Mike Black made the game-winning layup to sink Washington last week. Those two points were the last of his 22 for the game, which led all scorers. Lost a little bit in the euphoria of Black's game-winner was the excellent game that teammate Jacob Iati had played, as he had 20 points of his own. But just one game later, Iati took the lead, scoring a career-high 24 points. Given that Black is the team's primary ball-handler, there will be times that he is smothered by the opposing defense. That's where Iati comes in. The fifth-year senior has been deadly from downtown so far, leading the conference in three-point field goals made while shooting a ridiculous 51.6 percent. It's early, but they make a tandem to be reckoned with for sure.

Binghamton

The Bearcats were dealt a tough card when they learned the last year's leading scorer, Robert Mansell, would miss the season following knee surgery. But that blow has been lessened at least somewhat with the play of freshman Jordan Reed through his first three games. Reed has been the team's leading scorer every time he's taken the floor so far this season, including his monster double-double in the win over St. Peter's.

Reed doesn't yet qualify for the leaderboards because he missed the first two games of the season, but if he did, he would rank second in scoring and first in rebounding. It's pretty clear that Reed is a threat for a double-double night in and night out. With Reed as a scoring threat inside, senior guard Jimmy Gray becomes so valuable for this team. Gray has a 3/2 assist to turnover ratio so far this season, with nine dimes coming in the past three games. It wouldn't be surprising to see that rate go up as he and Reed continue to mesh.

Boston U.

Boston U.'s D.J. Irving

D.J. Irving has been in double figures in all three games this season. As a result, he's second in the conference in scoring so far. The scary part is that Irving has yet to shoot the ball well from deep. After shooting 35.7 percent from downtown last season, Irving is hovering right around 30 percent to start 2012-13. Assuming that he can put up a number close to or better than last year, he becomes even more dangerous.

Irving has also been dishing the ball out (4 apg) while playing the fifth most minutes per game in the conference. The Terriers are going to need a lot from Irving this year. So far he's delivered.

Linked Up

Former Stony Brook pitcher and now Miami Marlins hurler Tom Koehler is hosting two clinics to benefit relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy damage.

Staying with the Seawolves, Miguel Maysonet and Head Coach Jim Priore are finalists for national awards.

Amber Bepko is Hartford's Mooyah Player of the Week.

In case you missed it from last Friday, check out the latest episode of Catamount Weekly from Vermont.

Check out the Fall All-Conference team videos on the America East video portal!

What's Next?

AmericaEast.com has previews for all of the men's and women's basketball action tonight. Plenty of action on tap.

Daily Word: AEC Rewind

It's the Binghamton Bearcats celebrating on this Monday, the latest school to capture an America East Championship this fall. The No. 2 seeded Bearcats beat defending champion Albany in straight sets to win the volleyball crown. Of course we also had UMBC taking its upset bid against the defending national champion to penalty, Albany following up its upset of the defending Pac-12 champion and countless other non-conference games over the weekend. Before your travel plans for Thanksgiving begin to kick into gear, get caught up on all the America East action from the past weekend.

Box Scores, Recaps and Highlights

Volleyball

It's always been said that beating the same opponent three times is an exceptionally difficult task. Unfortunately for Albany, that wisdom rang true on Saturday. The Great Danes had downed Binghamton twice during the season, but the championship matchup was a whole new ballgame. Though the Bearcats jumped out to an early lead in the first set on its way to going up 1-0, the next two sets were much more of a struggle. Facing deficits 18-7 and 16-9 in the final two sets, Binghamton completed a pair of impressive comebacks to seal its second America East title in the past four years.

Box/Recap/Highlights

Men's Soccer

UMBC nearly pulled it off. Still without its leading scorer, Pete Caringi III, at 100%, the Retrievers managed to get the game to penalty kicks for the third straight match. Even going up against the defending national champion and current No. 5 seed, North Carolina, UMBC must have liked its chances with Phil Saunders in net. Saunders has been, to borrow a hockey idiom, standing on his head of late: he had stopped four of the last seven penalty kicks he'd faced and had just posted his tenth shutout of the season. Saunders did manage to stop one of the Tar Heels' attempt, but it wasn't enough. North Carolina keeper Scott Goodwin was on top of his game, stopping three of the Retrievers five attempts to help his team advance.

The Retrievers pushed North Carolina "to the limit", writes Kip Coons.

Box/Recap

Men's Basketball

Jordan Reed was electric for Binghamton.

Friday, Nov. 16

• Binghamton 76, at Army 85: Box/Recap/Highlights
• Sacred Heart 47, at Hartford 62: Box/Recap/Highlights

Saturday, Nov. 17

• George Washington 72, at Boston U. 59: Box/Recap
• New Hampshire 64, at Bryant 76: Box/Recap/Highlights
• Albany 62, vs. UMKC 59: Box/Recap
• Vermont 66, at Northeastern 55: Box/Recap/Highlights
• Brown 70, at Maine 68: Box/Recap

Sunday, Nov. 18

• Albany 64, vs. Loyola (Md.) 67: Box/Recap
• Sacret Heart 64, at Stony Brook 62: Box/Recap
• Saint Peter's 54, at Binghamton 62: Box/Recap/Highlights

Fast Break

• You really ought to click on those Binghamton vs. St. Peter's highlights. Jordan Reed put on a show.
• Albany once trailed by as many as 18 to Loyola, before storming back to make it a game.
• Jacob Iati had 24 points for the Great Danes vs. UMKC, a career high for the guard.
• Hartford got double-digit scoring from Wes Cole and Evan Cooper off of the bench.
• Malik Thomas was one point away from his first career double-double for Boston U., as he recorded a career-high 10 rebounds.
• Freshman Ethan O'Day was great for Vermont against Northeastern, setting a career-high with 17 points.
• New Hampshire had four players in double figures vs. Bryant.
• Maine's Alasdair Fraser got to double-digit rebounds for the second straight game, hauling in 10 against Brown.
• Tommy Brenton threatened to notch a double-double for Stony Brook while having an off day shooting the ball. The senior had 11 rebounds and eight assists.

Women's Basketball

Friday, Nov. 16

Amber Bepko had 16 points in Hartford's win over Richmond.

• Richmond 61, at Boston U. 70: Box/Recap/Highlights
• Hartford 76, at Central Connecticut St. 62: Box/Recap

Saturday, Nov. 17

• Brown 56, at Vermont 66: Box/Recap/Highlights
• New Hampshire 68, at Holy Cross 66: Box/Recap
• Maine 74, vs. UNLV 67: Box/Recap
• Loyola 68, at UMBC 55: Box/Recap

Sunday, Nov. 18

• Maine 60, at Minnesota 77: Box/Recap
• Richmond 54, at Hartford 59: Box/Recap/Highlights
• Albany 68, at Western Michigan 54: Box/Recap
• Stony Brook 63, at Morgan St. 66: Box/Recap
• Binghamton 67, at Austin Peay 71: Box/Recap

Fast Break

• Chantell Alford was Boston U.'s leading scorer for the third consecutive game, netting 18 in the win over Richmond.
• Hartford is now 4-0 for the first time since 2005-06. That year the Hawks won the America East Championship for the second consecutive year.
• Vermont sophomore Niki Taylor recorded her first double-double of the season, hauling in 10 boards to go with 15 points.
• Trailing Holy Cross 56-46 with eight minutes left, New Hampshire went on a 15-0 run to help seal the win.
• Ashleigh Roberts stuffed the stat sheet in Maine's win over UNLV: 16 points, nine boards, four steals and three assists.
• Lauren Chase has reached double-figure points in all four UMBC games this year, pouring in 18 against Loyola this weekend.
• Albany's Lindsey Lowrie was deadly from downtown against Western Michigan, draining five of nine on her way to 17 points.
• Stony Brook had a good day on the boards, outrebounding Morgan St. 50-26.
• Sharae Swinson was a bright spot for Binghamton against Austin Peay, setting a career-high with 23 points.

Linked Up

Vermont Quarterly took a look back the women's basketball team from 1991-92 and the historic run they had.

Former Maine guard has made the roster for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA D-League.

Binghamton's win over St. Peter's was a "signature win" for the Bearcats and Coach Dempsey, writes Lynn Worthy of the Press and Sun.

Tim Wilkin, of the Albany Times Union, takes a look at a great comeback by the Great Danes and the freak play that ultimately sunk them.

Congratulations to the football teams from New Hampshire and Stony Brook, both of which earned at-large bids to the FCS Championship. Seacoast Online has the story on the Wildcats, while Newsday takes a look at the Seawolves.

What's Next?

No games tonight, as the action will pick up again on Tuesday night with eight basketball games.