After two months of traveling and matching up against new opponents, this is the time of year when things get serious for Division I basketball. Conference season is at hand, and while the opponents are familiar, each game brings a challenge as teams battle for conference supremacy.
The six Division I teams in New York City have different goals. Some aim to return to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, while others are trying to establish a winning culture. With non-conference action behind them, it’s a clean slate and time to define what this season will be.
Let’s see where these six teams stand.
Manhattan
After earning trips to the NCAA Tournament the past two years, Columbia University women’s basketball packed its schedule with some tough non-conference opponents. There were wins over Butler, Ohio, and Binghamton. The Lions opened Ivy League conference action with a loss to Cornell. The leading scorer is junior guard Riley Weiss, averaging 18.5 points per game.
Queens
St. John’s University is looking for a solid season that leads to postseason play. The Red Storm had some impressive wins early in the season, including big victories over Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech, and Stony Brook, but opened Big East Conference action 3–2. The team’s leading scorer and rebounder is junior guard Brooke Moore, who is averaging 14.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Brooklyn
Long Island University has opened the season 7–6, 2–0 in Northeast Conference action. That is one of the best starts for the Sharks in years. Senior forward Kadidia Toure has a double-double average of 19.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.
Bronx
The Bronx is the lone borough with two teams. It’s been a rough start for Manhattan University, which is 1–12. On the upside, the Jaspers’ one win came in MAAC action. The leading scorer is Nitzan Amar, who is averaging 10.6 points per game.
The picture is a bit rosier at Rose Hill, where Fordham University is 8–6, but 0–3 in Atlantic 10 action. Junior guard Alexis Black is having a standout season, averaging 20.5 points per game.
Staten Island
Wagner College is 6–7, but wins over Chicago State, and Stonehill put the Seahawks 2–0 in NEC action. Junior center Lijirin Doyinsola Modesayor is the leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 10.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.