Before the Omicron variant changed the playbook to include intensified precautions, things were mostly back to normal for Division I women’s basketball. Teams were on campus, fans were in the stands and everyone was playing with a sense of excitement. While additional health protocols will come into play as the winter unfolds, hopefully everyone stays healthy and plays well.
Here is how NYC’s Division I women’s teams have played so far.
Bronx
Fordham University
Fordham, currently 8–3, has been playing well heading into Atlantic 10 conference play, which begins on New Year’s Day. The Rams scored wins over high profile non-conference opponents, including Stony Brook, Houston and Princeton. The team’s leading scorer, Anna DeWolfe, is averaging 20.2 points per game.
Manhattan College
Things are popping in the Bronx for Manhattan, which already began MAAC action. The Jaspers’ 6–5 record includes wins over St. Francis, West Point and conference rival Canisius. The standout is junior guard Dee Dee Davis from the Bronx, who is averaging 16.6 points per game.
Brooklyn
St. Francis College
The wins are not coming quite as much in Brooklyn. St. Francis has scored wins over Rider and Michigan State. NEC action is on, and the Terriers are working to hit their stride.
Long Island University
Things are a bit rough for the other Brooklyn team, LIU, which is still searching for its first win of the season.
Manhattan
Columbia University
It’s been a pretty stellar season thus far for Columbia, which is 9–3. The Lions head into Ivy League play with wins over such big-name teams as Clemson, Georgetown and Delaware. The leading scorer is sophomore guard Abbey Hsu, averaging 18.2 points per game, and the leading rebounder is junior guard/forward Kaitlyn Davis with 7.9 rebounds per game.
Queens
St. John’s University
It’s been a bit of a rough start for St. John’s University, which went 5–5 in non-conference play and 0–1 to start Big East action. The Red Storm continues conference play tomorrow against Georgetown. Junior guard Leilani Correa is averaging 20.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Staten Island
Wagner College
Staten Island is clearly rocking for Wagner, which began NEC play yesterday. The Seahawks have scored wins over NJIT, Colgate, Manhattan and St. John’s. The leading scorer is senior forward Emilija Krista Grava, who is averaging 12.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.