POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist Women's Basketball team will take a weekend trip up to Buffalo to face MAAC rival Niagara on Friday night at 7 p.m. In the last 13 seasons since 2004-05 the Red Foxes have never been swept and are 24-2 on their annual Buffalo trip against Niagara and Canisius.
 
PREVIOUS OUTING
The Red Foxes picked up a dominant win at Saint Peter's on Tuesday night, 86-53. Junior Maura Fitzpatrick led the way with 20 points, shooting 7-11 from the field. Red-shirt sophomore Grace Vander Weide set a career-high with 17 points, shooting 7-11 from the field and 3-6 from behind the arc. Red-shirt sophomore Alana Gilmer (14) and sophomore Rebekah Hand (12) also scored in double figures. Every Red Fox that appeared in the game scored points.
 
LAST YEAR AGAINST NIAGARA
The Red Foxes were 1-1 against Niagara last season. They won on the road on January 7th, but dropped the home contest on February 12th. In the road win, Claire Oberdorf led the way with a career-high 24 points including six triples. Hannah Hand added 13 points and three assists. In the home loss, Rebekah Hand led the Red Foxes in scoring, dropping 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to secure the double-double. Hannah Hand was the second highest scorer for Marist, adding 12 points and dishing out three assists. 
 
SCOUTING THE PURPLE EAGLES
Niagara is coming off of a dominant road win against Saint Peter's, winning 87-52. They scored 22 points or more in each quarter except for the first, where they scored 19. Jai Moore led the team with a career-high 20 points, followed by Victoria Rampado with 19. Kharysma Bryant and Jamie Sherburne each added 11 points.
 
NIAGARA HISTORY
The Red Foxes and Purple Eagles series history stands at 30-12 in Marist's favor. Before dropping the teams last meeting, the Red Foxes had won the three previous matchups against the Purple Eagles.
 
PLAYER TO WATCH
Rebekah Hand is following up her dominant freshman campaign with an excellent sophomore season. She leads the team in points scored(283), points per game(15.7), rebounds(113), field-goal percentage(.464), free throws made(48), free throw percentage(.960), and three-pointers made, attempted, and percentage(31-91, good for a.391%). In the last three games, she is averaging 16.3 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game, and she's shooting .429 from behind the arc. She picked up a Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Honorable Mention for her efforts this week.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW
You can follow along on the Marist women's basketball twitter account (@MaristWBB) and listen live on the Red Fox Network with Geoff Brault on play-by-play.
 
UP NEXT
Marist will end its three games in a week road stretch against Canisius on Sunday, Jan. 28th. Tip is set for 2 p.m.