Game Notes
The Series: Bloomsburg won the regular-season series, defeating East Stroudsburg 74-61 at ESU and 63-54 at home. Both games were competitive, with the Warriors staying within striking distance for most of the contest. In the first meeting, ESU opened the final quarter with a 7-1 run, led by Emily Chmiel and Brooke Droege, cutting the deficit to five points with 6:55 remaining. In the rematch at Bloomsburg, the game remained within two possessions with 2:23 left, but the Huskies pulled away late in both matchups.
Scouting ESU: Emily Chmiel has been the team’s cornerstone on both ends of the floor. She is averaging 22.3 points and 12.4 rebounds per game, while also totaling 31 steals and 34 blocks. Chmiel is tied for the most double-doubles in Division II with 23 and recently became the first Warrior to score 600 points in a season, setting the program’s single-season scoring record.
Brie Droege has emerged as one of the top freshmen in the conference, averaging 14.8 points per game since Jan. 15. On the season, she is shooting 47% from the field, 37% from 3-point range, and 85% from the free-throw line. She also ranks third on the team in steals.
Corrin Gill has played a key role in leading the offense, dishing out a team-high 95 assists this season.
The Warriors rank among the top half in a handful of statistical categories in the PSAC including fifth in assists, sixth in rebounding margin, seventh in scoring defense, seventh in assist/turnover ratio, seventh in steals, seventh in free throw percentage, eighth in field goal percentage, ninth in offensive rebounds.
Liz Flooks has led the Warriors to the PSAC Tournament in her first season as head coach. She previously spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Sacred Heart University.
Scouting Bloomsburg: Bloomsburg's offense is centered around Katie Starr and Leah Kale. Starr is averaging 15 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while leading the Huskies in both steals (64) and blocks (33).
Fellow senior Kale is scoring 10 points per game and is a major threat from beyond the arc, shooting 39% on more than 100 attempts. Ava Stevenson is another 3-point shooter, connecting at 37% on 100 attempts.
The Huskies not only shoot well from deep—they rank second in the PSAC in 3-point percentage—but they also defend the perimeter effectively, leading the conference in opponent 3-point percentage. Another key strength is their ability to pass and limit turnovers, as they rank second in the PSAC in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Head coach Alison Tagliaferri is in her eighth season at Bloomsburg and has orchestrated one of the biggest turnarounds in the conference, improving from an eight-win season to a 17-win campaign.
A Look Ahead: The winner of Monday night’s game advances to face No. 2 Lock Haven in the PSAC quarterfinals Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
