Riverdale, N.Y. (February 16, 2006)--"Two different locations, but similar scenarios" is a fitting way to describe the Lady Jaspers' two quarrels with Loyola College this season. Like they did earlier in the season in Baltimore, the Lady J's used a late second-half surge to cut into a Loyola lead, but were unable to complete the comeback. Despite pulling within three points with under two minutes remaining, Manhattan fell 55-47 on Thursday night at Draddy Gym.
Manhattan sophomore forward
Caitlin Flood banked in a layup from the right block to cut Loyola's advantage, which was once at 14, to 50-47 with 1:54 to play. The Lady Jaspers, however, were unable to muster up another basket for the remainder of the game and Loyola's Jackie Valderas nailed her four free throw attempts down the stretch to preserve the win. Flood led all scorers with 15 points to go with 10 rebounds for a double-double.
In the first showdown at Reitz Arena, Manhattan stormed back from a 17-point second-half deficit to pull even on freshman
Kelly Regan's basket with under five minutes to play, but also could not close the deal. Regan was the other Lady Jasper to score in double figures on Thursday night as she tallied 12 points and grabbed six rebounds.
Scoring was at a premium for both teams early on in the contest. After Manhattan sophomore
Joann Nwafili opened the scoring 40 seconds into the game, the Lady Jaspers did not get another hoop for almost six minutes. Loyola, however, only managed six points during that span. Flood ended the scoring drought with a bucket at the 13:32 mark of the first half. After a
Lupe Godinez jumper evened the score at six, Flood put the Lady Jaspers on top when she drilled jumper from the left elbow on top of getting fouled. After the Lady J's extended the lead to 11-6, Loyola closed out the half on a 23-6 run to take a 29-17 advantage into the break.
Valderas finished with 12 points and nine rebounds for Loyola (15-9, 10-5 MAAC), and Lauren Troupe notched a double-double for the Hounds with 13 points and 10 boards.
Manhattan (9-15, 6-9 MAAC) continues its MAAC schedule on Monday, February 20 at Fairfield.
