Game 24: Niagara Purple Eagles (10-13, 7-5 MAAC) at Manhattan Lady Jaspers (12-11, 7-5 MAAC)
Saturday, February 13, 2010-2 p.m.
Riverdale, N.Y.-Draddy Gymnasium (2,345)
TV: None
Radio/Internet: JasperVision (gojaspers.com)
TODAY'S GAME
Manhattan (12-11, 7-5 MAAC) hosts its annual "Pink Zone" game for breast cancer awareness this afternoon against Niagara (10-13, 7-5 MAAC). The Lady Jaspers have won four out of their last five games, including a 59-57 victory at Saint Peter's on Monday. Niagara enters today's game on a five-game winning streak. The Purple Eagles knocked off Loyola 61-56 on Monday. Manhattan and Niagara are currently tied for third place in the MAAC.
ABOUT MANHATTAN
The Lady Jaspers (12-11, 7-5 MAAC) come into today's game the winners of two straight and four out of five. Manhattan posted a 59-57 victory at Saint Peter's on Monday night. Senior guard Michelle Pacheco and sophomore forward Lindsey Loutsenhizer average a combined 30.3 points per game. Pacheco, the current MAAC Co-Player of the Week, ranks third in the MAAC with an average of 15.3 points per game. She is second in the league in both assists and steals, averaging 5.0 assists and 2.8 steals per game. Loutsenhizer, who is averaging 17.3 points in MAAC play, ranks fourth in the league in scoring (15.0 ppg). She is also Manhattan's leading rebounder (6.5 rpg). Junir guard Abby Wentworth contributes 9.8 points and 2.4 steals per game, while sophomore forward Nadia Peters averages 1.6 blocked shots per game to rank second in the MAAC. The Lady Jaspers are 4-1 since sophomore guard Kerri White moved into the starting lineup on Jan. 24.
ABOUT NIAGARA
Niagara (10-13, 7-5 MAAC) has won five straight and seven of its last eight games. All five games during the Purple Eagles' current winning streak were at home, including Monday night's 61-56 victory over Loyola. Junior forward Liz Flooks leads the team in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 13.9 points and 5.2 boards per game. Flooks is also the MAAC's most proficient three-point shooter, shooting .452 from beyond the arc. Senior guard Jennifer McNamee is averaging 11.3 points per game, but she has missed Niagara's last three games with an injury. Freshman guard Kayla Stroman, who has won MAAC Rookie of the Week honors in each of the last two weeks, dishes out a team-best 4.5 assists per game. She also leads the Purple Eagles with 2.0 steals per game and ranks third on the squad with 8.5 points per game. This is the first game of a four-game road trip for Niagara.
MANHATTAN VS NIAGARA ALL-TIME
Manhattan has won three straight against Niagara to take a 21-20 lead in the all-time series with the Purple Eagles. The Lady Jaspers notched a 70-54 victory when the teams met at the Gallagher Center on Jan. 9. Last season at Draddy Gymnasium, Manhattan knocked off Niagara 77-58. The Purple Eagles' last win over the Lady Jaspers was a 67-66 triumph in Riverdale during the 2007-08 season.
MANHATTAN 59, SAINT PETER'S 57
After Michelle Pacheco hit a free throw with 32 seconds left to give Manhattan the lead, the Lady Jaspers got a defensive stop before a Lindsey Loutsenhizer free throw sealed a 59-57 win at Saint Peter's on Monday. Despite making just six field goals in the first half, Manhattan only trailed by three, 33-30, at halftime thanks to a 17-for-21 performance at the free throw line in the period. Manhattan finally took the lead midway through the second half, and the Lady Jaspers held a three-point advantage before Saint Peter's rallied back to tie it at 57-57 with 1:18 remaining. Loutsenhizer finished with 20 points and five rebounds, while Pacheco added 14 points and six assists. Abby Wentworth contributed nine points, five rebounds and four steals.
PINK ZONE
Today, the Lady Jaspers mark their third consecutive season of participating in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's "Pink Zone" initiative for breast cancer awareness. Over 900 schools participated last season, including all 10 MAAC institutions. The Lady Jaspers have gotten involved in other ways, as well. The entire team and coaching staff ran in the 2009 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which drew more than 25,000 runners to Central Park West on Sept. 13. In addition, Manhattan hosted "Hoops for Cancer Day" during the contest against Cornell on Dec. 19. The event raised $1,500 for the American Cancer Society, and both teams were given certificates of appreciation for their efforts in promoting awareness. All proceeds from today's game will be donated to the WBCA's Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
