Game 28: Loyola Greyhounds (12-15, 7-9 MAAC) at Manhattan Lady Jaspers (14-13, 9-7 MAAC)
Friday, February 26, 2010-5 p.m.
Riverdale, N.Y.-Draddy Gymnasium (2,345)
TV: None
Radio/Internet: JasperVision (gojaspers.com), loyolagreyhounds.com
TODAY'S GAME
Manhattan (14-13, 9-7 MAAC) begins the final weekend of the 2009-10 regular season this evening with a matchup against Loyola (12-15, 7-9 MAAC). The Lady Jaspers clinched a bye in the MAAC Tournament with a 78-71 victory over Canisius on Sunday afternoon, while the Greyhounds kept their hopes for a bye alive with a 71-63 win over Niagara on Sunday. Following the game, the Manhattan men's team hosts its annual "Senior Night" contest against Niagara.
ABOUT MANHATTAN
The Lady Jaspers (14-13, 9-7 MAAC) continue their season-ending three-game homestand looking to lock up at least the No. 4 seed in next weekend's MAAC Tournament. Manhattan snapped a two-game losing streak with a 78-71 victory over Canisius on Sunday afternoon. Sophomore forward Lindsey Loutsenhizer tallied a career-high 24 points, her fifth 20-point game of the season, in the victory. Loutsenhizer leads the Lady Jaspers in both scoring (15.5 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg). She also ranks second in the MAAC with a field goal percentage of .474. Senior guard Michelle Pacheco contributes 15.1 points per game and hands out a MAAC-best 5.1 assists per game. She also ranks second in the conference with 2.8 steals per game. Sophomore forward Nadia Peters is second in the league in blocked shots (1.6 bpg) and junior guard Abby Wentworth ranks fourth in the MAAC with 2.4 steals per game.
ABOUT LOYOLA
Loyola (12-15, 7-9 MAAC) snapped a two-game losing streak with a 71-63 win over Niagara on Sunday, keeping alive the Greyhounds' chances to earn a first-round bye in the MAAC Tournament. Sophomore forward Miriam McKenzie ranks second in the MAAC in scoring, averaging 16.9 points per game. She is also Loyola's top rebounder (7.6 rpg) and leads the team with 3.0 assists per game. Junior guard Erica DiClemente averages 10.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while senior forward Kaitlin Grant contributes 10.7 points and 6.3 boards per contest. Grant also leads the Greyhounds with 2.5 steals per game and a field goal percentage of .454. Freshman guard Katie Sheahin adds 8.4 points adn 4.7 rebounds per game, and junior forward Meredith Tolley is shooting .350 from three-point range. Loyola ends the regular season with a home game against Siena on Sunday.
MANHATTAN VS LOYOLA ALL-TIME
Loyola has won the last two meetings in the series, including a 74-57 triumph at Reitz Arena on Jan. 15. Manhattan's last win over Loyola was a 60-54 triumph on Feb. 15, 2009. The Lady Jaspers have lost their last four home games against the Greyounds, with their last win over Loyola at Draddy Gymnasium coming on Feb. 3, 2005, a 55-49 victory. Manhattan leads the overall series 22-20.
MANHATTAN 78, CANISIUS 71
Lindsey Loutsenhizer notched a career-high 24 points to lead four Lady Jaspers in double figures, as Manhattan posted a 78-71 win over Canisius at Draddy Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon. Manhattan had an early 16-6 lead before Canisius went on a 26-3 run to take a 32-19 advantage. The Lady Jaspers trimmed their deficit to three, 36-33, at halftime, then scored the first 11 points of the second half to regain a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The Griffs used the three-point ball to get back in the game, pulling within five with 1:30 left, but Manhattan held strong down the stretch to finish off the 78-71 victory. Michelle Pacheco had 16 points and tied a career-high with nine assists, while Abby Wentworth tallied 17 points and Kerri White added 10.
TOURNAMENT SCENARIOS
Manhattan has clinched a first-round bye in next weekend's MAAC Tournament, and will be seeded anywhere from No. 3 to No. 6. The Lady Jaspers are guaranteed at least the No. 4 seed with one win this weekend, while Manhattan locks up the No. 3 seed with a pair of victories. The Lady Jaspers' opponent is also still to be determined, as Manhattan will take on one of five possible teams in the quarterfinals. Manhattan's quarterfinal game will be at either 11:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 5.
