Jersey City, N.J. (January 18, 2008) ? The Lady Jaspers held off a late second half comeback by Saint Peter's College to walk away with the victory. The Lady J's completed the sweep of the Peahens as Caitlin Flood tied her career high, dropping 27 points in the win.
Saint Peter's was sporting a 4-1 MAAC record, as was the Lady Jaspers coming into this game. The Peahens only loss was to Manhattan, where the Lady J's beat them in their conference home-opener earlier this season. Coming out of the gun, freshman Abby Wentworth hit her first two shots to keep the Lady J's going. Manhattan found itself down by one with 13:18 left to play in the first half. But the Lady Jasper defense stepped up as they held Saint Peter's scoreless for the next four minutes. In that span, Manhattan went on a 8-0 run and built up a seven point lead.
The ladies did not let up as senior Gabrielle Cottrell hit a lay-up and a three pointer on consecutive possessions for the Lady J's. Manhattan went into the locker room with a comfortable eight point lead, 30-22. Flood finished the first half with 12 points as she was 4-6 from the field. Cottrell had seven points along with four boards at halftime.
The Lady Jaspers came out in the second half without missing a step as they increased on their lead. With 12:08 left to play, Manhattan was in the lead, 47-32, and looking towards victory. But the Peahens went on an 17-5 run and after Saint Peters' Johnell Burts converted a bucket and the foul, the lead was cut to three, 52-49. Coming down to crunch time, Cottrell spotted up and drained a jumper to push Manhattan ahead by five, 54-49. But Saint Peter's answered right back on the next possession and it continued to be a three point game.
With :27 seconds left and the Lady Jaspers holding on to a two point lead, freshman Nicole Harrison hit two huge free throws to give Manhattan a four point lead, 60-56, with the shot clock turned off. But on the ensuing possession, the Peahens put back the rebound and drew the foul. After the three point play was converted, Manhattan know had only a one point lead with just 7.5 seconds remaining. Cottrell was fouled and hit her first free throw but missed the second, which gave Saint Peter's one last chance. But the Peahens' Natasha Morris was flurried with Lady J defenders as she threw up a desperation three that couldn't find the backboard. Manhattan walked away with a 61-59 victory and took their second game from Saint Peter's.
Flood also grabbed seven boards to go alongside her 27 points. This is the second time this season Flood has tied her career high in points, the first time came against Saint Peter's earlier in the season. Cottrell finished the game with 10 points and six boards, while also dishing out four assists.
The Lady Jaspers improve their record to 10-7 overall, and 5-1 in MAAC play. They will return to action on Monday, January 21 as they will take on Rider University in Draddy Gynasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
