Feb. 15, 2005

Poughkeepsie, NY - According to the latest NCAA women's basketball statistics, released every Tuesday, the Marist defense is doing one of the best jobs in the country. The Red Foxes are ranked fifth in the nation (324 teams ranked) in scoring defense, giving up just 51.3 points per game to their opponents.

Marist opponent Delaware State tops the rankings, allowing 49.6 points per game, followed by LSU (50.8), UConn (51.0) and New Mexico (51.3). The Red Foxes have been in the top 30 defenses in the nation all-season, spending all but two weeks in the top 15. Marist cracked into the top 10 on Jan. 31, and this week's number five ranking is its best of the season so far.

The Red Foxes are currently riding an 11-game winning-streak and hold a share of first place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference at 11-3 (17-6 overall). They will put their defense to the test again on Thursday when they take on hot-shooting MAAC foe Niagara at 7:00 p.m. at the McCann Center. The last time these two teams met, on Jan. 30, Marist held the Purple Eagles to a season-low 49 points.