GNAC Semis Sets Boston Rivalry Up; Women's Basketball at Emmanuel Thursday

BOSTON – The third seeded Suffolk women's basketball took care of business in the quarterfinals to punch its ticket to the GNAC semis, which sends the Rams across town to second seed and historic foe Emmanuel. Game time at Jean Yawkey Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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2018 GNAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Quarterfinals – Tuesday, Feb. 20
Game 1: #1 Saint Joseph's (Maine) defeated #8 Mount Ida, 83-54
Game 2: #5 Albertus Magnus defeated #4 Regis, 51-49
Game 3: #3 Suffolk defeated #6 Johnson & Wales, 68-46
Game 4: #2 Emmanuel defeated #7 Norwich, 79-52

Semifinals – Thursday, Feb. 22
Game 5: #5 Albertus Magnus at #1 Saint Joseph's (Maine) - 7 PM
Game 6: #3 Suffolk at #2 Emmanuel - 7 PM

Championship – Saturday, Feb. 24
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 5

LAST TIME OUT
Suffolk women's basketball held off a Johnson & Wales comeback to secure its spot in the GNAC semifinals behind a 68-46 victory over the Wildcats Tuesday night inside Regan Gymnasium.

MORE READING: Women's Basketball Outlasts Johnson & Wales in GNAC Quarterfinals, 68-46

POSTSEASON PUSH
In its 23rd consecutive appearance in the GNAC tournament, Suffolk advanced to the semis for the 10th time behind a 68-46 win over Johnson & Wales in the quarterfinals Tuesday night. 

The Rams look to move onto the championship contest for the fifth time overall, first since 2013 and second as the third seed.

RAMS RUNDOWN
Suffolk has put together its third 20-win season in the program's history and first since 2012-13 (23-4) as the Rams take a 20-6 overall record across town Thursday. 

The trifecta of Jenni-Rose DiCecco, Georgia Bourikas and Alexis Hackett have been crucial in Suffolk's success this season. The three combines for nearly 40 points per game, while the teams average 68.7 ppg. DiCecco leads the way with 14.2 ppg with Bourikas chipping in 13.8 ppg and Hackett's 11.3 ppg rounds of the threesome. 

They each are consistent contributors on the glass as well. Hackett's 11.0 rpg paces the pack with Bourikas and DiCecco pitching in 6.3 rpg and 5.2 rpg, respectively to Suffolk's 42.2 rpg.

SAINTS SAYINGS
Emmanuel, who is also 20-6 on the season, advanced to the semifinals with a convincing 79-52 win over Norwich. The Saints have not lost since Dec. 3, 2017 to take a 17-game win streak into Thursday's tilt. 

The Saint's 76.7 ppg offense receives 15.2 from Yuleksa Ramirez-Tejeda and 11.3 from Alisha Fox. The pair is the only two players racking up double digits with Kayla Weaver (9.0 ppg) and Madison McLaughlin (8.9 ppg) also contribute. 

Ramirez-Tejeda is also Emmanuel's defensive force with the sophomore grabbing 9.7 rpg. Mary McCarthy and Caitlin Cipriano complement the defense with 5.3 rpg and 4.5 rpg, respectively.

WE MEET AGAIN
Despite coming back and taking the lead in the first, the Suffolk women's basketball team could not hold off the Saints of Emmanuel as the Rams fell, 81-55, Jan. 30 at Jean Yawkey Center.

MORE READING: Emmanuel Cruises Past Women's Basketball

THE SERIES
The Suffolk, Emmanuel series is one of the most heated battles on the Rams schedule, dating back to 1995. Despite the history, the Saints hold a commanding series lead, 29-1, with the blue-and-gold's only win over its city and conference rival coming Feb. 9, 2008 by a 66-55 margin. 

The Rams and Saints will tangle in the GNAC postseason for the sixth time and first since 2015. Emmanuel has defeated Suffolk in all of the five previous postseason matches. The foes will face off in the semifinals for the third time and first with Suffolk as the third seed and Emmanuel as the third seed.

EYES ON THE GAME

REBOUNDING REMARKS
Alexis Hackett has a monster game on the glass Tuesday night. The sophomore grabbed 19 rebounds, which marks the most boards by a Ram according to the blue-and-gold's game-by-game record book, which dates through the 2008-09 season. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
The winner of the semifinal showdown will advance to championship set to tip-off Saturday, Feb. 24 at the highest remaining seed.