Box Score
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - On Monday night, the Manhattan College women's basketball team hit the road for the first time in three weeks looking to extend its winning streak to four straight. After Maryland Eastern Shore pulled within one in the second half, the Lady Jaspers (5-2) outscored the Lady Hawks (1-3) 16-4 over the final 7:08 to pull away for a 61-49 triumph in a tough, physical contest at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.
"This was a very difficult game in an extremely hostile environment," Head Coach John Olenowski said. "Our girls really came through, and I'm proud of our effort."
With the score knotted at 10-10 early in the first half, Monica Roeder (Marlton, N.J.) and Toni-Ann Lawrence (Elmont, N.Y.) took over. The duo combined for all of Manhattan's points during a 16-5 run that gave the Lady Jaspers an 11-point, 26-15, advantage with 8:31 remaining before halftime. Maryland Eastern Shore responded with a pair of treys to get back within six, but another 10-4 Manhattan rally followed and the Lady Jaspers took a 36-25 lead into the locker room.
"Monica and Toni were our offense in the first half," Olenowski said. (The pair recorded 25 of the Lady Jaspers' 36 points in the period.) "Monica really came to play and had a fantastic game."
After Abby Wentworth (Portland, Maine) converted a free throw to complete a three-point play and extend Manhattan's advantage to 39-26 early in the second half, the Lady Hawks came charging back. Maryland Eastern Shore went on an 18-6 run over the next 10:26 and got back within one when LaKendra Wilkinson's offensive rebound and put back made it 45-44 in favor of the Lady Jaspers with 7:46 left.
However, a Wentworth three-point play on the other end pushed Manhattan's lead back to four. A jumper by Maryland Eastern Shore's Adobi Agbasi once again made it a two-point game, but Roeder was fouled while shooting a three as the shot clock was about to expire on Manhattan's next possession. She sank two of the foul shots, then a Wentworth jumper brought the Lady Jaspers' advantage back to six, 52-46, with 4:20 remaining. Manhattan outscored Maryland Eastern Shore 9-3 down the stretch to pull away for a 61-49 triumph.
Wentworth and Roeder each tallied 18 points to lead the Lady Jaspers. Wentworth added five rebounds, five assists and five steals, while Roeder grabbed five rebounds, as well. Lawrence chipped in a career-high 11 points, all in the first half, and six boards in 31 minutes off the bench. Manhattan shot 39.3 percent (22-of-56) from the field, but was held to a season-low 15.8 percent (3-of-19) shooting from downtown. The Lady Jaspers went 14-for-17 (82.4 percent) at the line.
Kwinnyata Mercer paced the Lady Hawks with 10 points and five rebounds off the bench. Amber Cook chipped in nine points, while Casey Morton tallied seven points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Shanyce Stewart also grabbed five boards, as Maryland Eastern Shore outrebounded Manhattan 38-31. The Lady Hawks shot 36 percent (18-of-50) from the field, including 30.4 percent (7-of-23) from three-point range, but went a mere 6-for-16 (37.5 percent) at the charity stripe.
"We're on a nice little run, and we have the best record in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) right now," Olenowski said. "I love the way we're playing, as well as our energy and enthusiasm."
The Lady Jaspers will try to extend their winning streak to five straight on Thursday night, when Lafayette (3-5) visits Draddy Gymnasium for a 7 p.m. matchup.
NOTES: Manhattan moved to 3-0 all-time against Maryland Eastern Shore...This marked the first time the teams played in Maryland...It was also the first of just five games all season that the Lady Jaspers will play outside the State of New York...The Lady Jaspers have now won four straight for the first time since Jan. 2-11, 2004...Manhattan allowed fewer than 50 points for the fourth time this season...The Lady Jaspers committed just nine turnovers in the game and had a positive assist/turnover ratio for the third time this season...Lawrence's previous career-high was 10 points against Albany on Nov. 19.
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