Manhattan-Fairfield Game Notes
Game 28: Fairfield Stags (17-10, 10-6 MAAC) at Manhattan Lady Jaspers (19-8, 11-5 MAAC)Friday, February 25, 2011-7 p.m.Riverdale, N.Y.-Draddy Gymnasium (2,345) Live Webcast: JasperVision (www.gojaspers.com)Live Audio: www.fairfieldstags.com
TONIGHT'S GAME
The Lady Jaspers (19-8, 11-5 MAAC) wrap up their 2010-11 home schedule tonight against Fairfield (17-10, 10-6 MAAC) looking to snap a two-game losing streak. Manhattan is coming off a 60-45 loss at Loyola on Monday night. Fairfield has also dropped two straight, including a 60-52 defeat against Siena on Monday night. Tonight is "Senior Night" at Draddy Gymnasium, as seniors Alicia Marculitis and Abby Wentworth, as well as team manager Pat Waldron will be honored prior to the game.
THE LADY JASPERS
Manhattan (19-8, 11-5 MAAC) looks to rebound after its second straight loss, a 60-45 defeat at Loyola on Monday night. Freshman guard/forward Monica Roeder, the two-time reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week, has led Manhattan in scoring in five of the last six games and is averaging 14.2 points over that span. For the season, Roeder ranks second on the team in scoring (9.0 ppg). Senior guard Abby Wentworth paces the MAAC with 4.3 assists per contest. She also leads Manhattan in scoring (13.9 ppg) and steals (2.9 spg). Junior forward Lindsey Loutsenhizer contributes 8.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while junior forward Nadia Peters averages a team-high 6.1 boards per outing. She also ranks third in the MAAC in steals (2.7 spg) and fourth in the league in blocks (1.3 bpg). Manhattan, which can clinch the No. 3 seed in the MAAC Tournament tonight, wraps up the regular season at Iona on Sunday afternoon.
THE STAGS
Fairfield (17-10, 10-6 MAAC) enters tonight's contest looking to snap a two-game skid. The Stags are coming off a 60-52 home loss to Siena on Monday night. Junior forward Taryn Johnson paces Fairfield with 13.2 points and 8.0 rebounds per outing. She also averages a team-best 2.2 steals per game and leads the MAAC in blocked shots (1.9 bpg). Sophomore guard Katelyn Linney drains 2.5 three-pointers per game, the most in the conference. Overall, she averages 12.8 points per contest. Junior guard Desiree Pina contributes 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and a team-leading 3.1 assists per game. She also averages 1.2 steals per outing. Sophomore forward Brittany MacFarlane ranks second on the team in rebouding, pulling down 6.3 boards per game, while senior guard Joelle Nawrocki distributes 1.9 assists per contest. The Stags conclude the regular season with a visit to No. 21 Marist on Sunday.
SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan has faced Fairfield more than any other opponent in program history. Tonight's game is the 72nd meeting between the schools, and the Stags hold a 36-35 advantage in the all-time series. However, the Lady Jaspers have won three straight against Fairfield, including a 52-44 victory in Connecticut on Jan. 16. Last season at Draddy Gymnasium, Manhattan posted a 69-53 win.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME
Manhattan led by as many as 14 points in the first half and had a 33-22 edge at halftime, but was held to just 12 second-half points in a 60-45 loss to Loyola at Reitz Arena on Monday night. The Lady Jaspers jumped out to an early 17-3 advantage and led 33-19 after Abby Wentworth drained a pair of free throws with 25 seconds left in the first half. However, a Loyola steal and three-point play cut the lead to 11 points, 33-22, at intermission. The Greyhounds then opened the second half on a 14-2 run to take the lead. Manhattan got back within four at 47-43, but was held scoreless over the final 6:01 as Loyola pulled away for a 60-45 victory. Monica Roeder was the only Manhattan player in double figures with 17 points, while Lindsey Loutsenhizer and Nadia Peters both grabbed 11 rebounds.
TOURNAMENT SCENARIOS
Manhattan clinches the No. 3 seed in the upcoming MAAC Tournament with a win tonight, as well as a Siena loss to No. 21 Marist. If the Lady Jaspers win one of their final two games, they clinch no worse than the No. 4 seed, and Manhattan can drop no lower than fifth. The No. 3 seed faces sixth-seeded Iona in the quarterfinals next Friday at 11:30 a.m. Otherwise, the Lady Jaspers will take on either Siena or Fairfield in the 4-5 game at 3:30 p.m.
