The Cathy Inglese Era Begins Saturday vs. Fairfield

Nov. 13, 2009

Gametracker | Rhody All-Access

KINGSTON, R.I. -- The Cathy Inglese era begins tomorrow, as Rhode Island's women's basketball team begins play in the 2009-10 regular season, hosting Fairfield at the Thomas M. Ryan Center at 2 p.m.

Inglese owns a 393-253 (.608) career coaching record in 22 seasons as a head coach. Most recently, the Wallingford, Conn. native served as Boston College's head coach from 1993-2008, registering a 273-179 (.604) overall record.

The Eagles finished with 20-or-more wins in eight of her 15 seasons in Chestnut Hill. She guided Boston College to seven NCAA Tournament appearances and one trip to the WNIT.

Under her direction, the Eagles made three trips to the NCAA Sweet 16 (2003, 2004 and 2006) and posted a program-high national ranking of No. 14 (USA Today) at the end of the 2003-04 season.

The Rams and Stags meet for the fifth time on the hardwood, with the all-time series knotted at 2-2. Saturday's game marks the first meeting between the two schools sine the 1984-85 season.

Rhody played one preseason exhibition contest - a 64-52 victory over UMass Lowell on Nov. 7. Sophomore Sherrie Session registered a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Megan Shoniker scored a game-high 20 points.

Shoniker - the team's top scorer from a season ago (10.4) - returns as the team's point guard and leader on the floor. Senior Lindsay Harris also returns for Rhode Island, having averaged 8.3 points and 6.0 rebounds for the Rams a season ago.

Fairfield and second year head coach Joe Frager were voted to finish sixth according to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Stags finished with an 18-13 mark last year, including a 12-6 mark in league play - good for third place.

Fans can follow all the action live online via Gametracker, or by logging onto Rhody All-Access for a live video stream of the game.