Emmanuel College women's basketball head coach Andy Yosinoff rewrote the NCAA record books by earning his 816th career coaching win as the Emmanuel Saints posted a 68-58 victory over Ramapo on Dec. 30. The victory moves Yosinoff to the top of the NCAA Division III women's basketball annals, passing former Scranton coach Mike Strong (1980-14) for the most wins by a head coach in NCAA Division III women's basketball history. 

Yosinoff has been the cornerstone of the Emmanuel women's basketball program, coaching at the helm since it became a varsity sport in 1978. In his 42 seasons, he's led the Saints to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances including three trips to the Sweet 16, two visits to the Elite Eight and an appearance in the 2001 Final Four.

"You can't set a record like this without a lot of great players, coaches and support staff," said Yosinoff. "This win isn't about me, it's about the program. It's for every player that has worn a Saints uniform and contributed to where we are today. I'm just lucky to have been along for the ride and have amazing coaches and administrators at Emmanuel who support what I do year after year."

Last season, Yosinoff became just the 14th NCAA Women's Basketball coach at any level to win 800 games, joining a premier club which includes hall of fame coaches Geno Auriemma (UConn), Pat Summitt (Tennessee), and Muffett McGraw (Notre Dame). All 816 of his coaching wins have come at Emmanuel, making Yosinoff one of only nine NCAA Women's Basketball coaches to win 800 or more games at the same institution. 

"Coach Yosinoff's career at Emmanuel College is nothing short of remarkable," said Emmanuel athletic diretor Brendan McWilliams. "His support of not only his team but more importantly, the college community, is a testament to what makes Emmanuel a truly unique place. I could not be happier for him in reaching this coaching milestone."

Since 2000, Yosinoff's teams have compiled 425 wins, averaging over 23 wins a year during the stretch while putting together a streak of 14 consecutive 20-plus win seasons from 1999 to 2013. He earned GNAC Coach of the Year honors in 2001 after leading the team to the NCAA D-III Final Four and in October 2003, Coach Yosinoff was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall.  

A Rhode Island native, Coach Yosinoff is a 1970 graduate of the University of Rhode Island. As a senior, Andy held the No. 1 singles position on the men's varsity tennis team and won the Yankee Conference Tennis Championship. He was inducted into the URI Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2013.

THE BASICS 

Score: Emmanuel 68, Ramapo 58

Records: Ramapo College Roadrunners (6-7); Emmanuel College Saints (8-2)

Location: Cardinal Gibbons High School - Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Date: Sunday, December 30, 2018

THE LEAD: Emmanuel women's basketball head coach Andy Yosinoff rewrote the NCAA record books by earning his 816th career coaching win as the Emmanuel Saints posted a 68-58 victory over Ramapo.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• The squads played to a 16-16 tie after one quarter of play as the Roadrunners shot 63.6% from the field in the opening frame (7-for-11).
• Emmanuel outscored Ramapo in the second frame 19-12 to take a seven point lead into halftime (35-28) behind 12 points from junior guard Yuleska Ramirez-Tejeda (Cambridge, Mass.) and 10 points from junior guard Kayla Weaver (West Haven, Conn.).
• Ramapo took advantage of some Emmanuel foul trouble in the third, exploting the Saints down low to get back in the game by opening the third wiith a 9-1 run to take a 37-36 lead following a pair of free throws by Samantha Rinaldi (Ridgefield Park, N.J.).
• The Saints responded and closed the quarter strong to regain a 48-43 lead heading into the final period.
• A jumper by Jenna Harsh (Metuchen, N.J.) got Ramapo back to within one at 48-47 two minutes into the fourth but the Saints answered with a 12-2 spurt to put the game out of reach en route to the 68-58 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Ramirez-Tejeda finished with 19 and a game-high 12 rebounds for her
• Weaver added a game-high 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field.
• Freshman Riley Lahiff (North Attleboro, Mass.) added a season-best 16 points off the bench for Emmanuel.
• Harsh finished with 17 points for the Roadrunners while Jessica Repasy (Fredon, N.J.) also netted 17 points.
• EC scored 14 fast break points compared to just two by Ramapo, and also netted 22 points off of RC turnovers.

UP NEXT

• The Saints return to action tomorrow as they take on No. 10 Messiah at 11 a.m.