Manhattan-Fordham Game Notes
Game 5: Manhattan Jaspers (1-3) at Fordham Rams (4-1)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012-7 p.m.
Bronx, N.Y.-Rose Hill Gym (3,200)
Live Video: www.fordhamsports.com
Live Audio: www.fordhamsports.com
ABOUT THE GAME
Manhattan (1-3) makes the short trip across town for tonight's matchup with Fordham (4-1) at Rose Hill Gym. The Jaspers, who are looking to snap a two-game losing streak, dropped a 53-47 decision to Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday afternoon. After starting the season 4-0, the Rams suffered their first loss of the 2012-13 campaign, 62-40, at Pacific on Friday night. This is the 44th "Battle of the Bronx," as the rivals have met at least once annually since the 1979-80 season.
ABOUT THE JASPERS
The Jaspers (1-3) have dropped their last two games, including a 53-47 loss to Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday. Freshman forward Shayna Ericksen had her first career double-double against the Knights and is the current MAAC Rookie of the Week. Ericksen averages 10.8 points and a team-leading 7.0 rebounds per game. Junior guard Monica Roeder paces the Jaspers and ranks second in the MAAC in scoring, averaging 15.5 points per contest. Roeder also drains 3.3 three-pointers per game to lead the conference. Senior forward Toni-Ann Lawrence contributes 11.0 points a night and currently ranks third in the MAAC in field goal percentage (.581). Senior guard Ondya Morgan leads Manhattan in both assists (4.0 apg) and steals (2.8 spg). After tonight's contest, the Jaspers begin a three-game homestand, starting with a Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI) rematch against Holy Cross on Saturday.
ABOUT THE RAMS
Fordham (4-1) got off to its first 4-0 start since the 1995-96 season before suffering a 62-40 loss at Pacific on Friday night. Senior forward Marah Strickland, a transfer from South Carolina, paces the Rams with 13.5 points per game, while junior guard Erin Rooney, who transferred to Fordham from Monmouth, contributes 13.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per outing. Senior guard Arielle Collins chips in 7.4 points per contest to go along with 2.6 assists and 2.0 steals a night. Collins is also the Rams' top three-point shooter. She drains 1.4 treys per game and is shooting .412 from beyond the arc. Junior guard Abigail Corning leads the team in both rebounding and assists. She tallies 6.2 boards and 3.0 assists per game. As a team, the Rams rank 12th nationally in scoring defense (48.2 ppg) and 13th in three-point percentage defense (.197). Up next, Fordham begins a two-game road trip with a visit to Marquette on Saturday night.
SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan has faced Fordham more than any other non-conference opponent. This is the 45th meeting in a series that has been renewed at least once annually since the 1979-80 season. Manhattan holds a 24-19 edge all-time, but Fordham won last year's game, 59-49, at Draddy Gymnasium. That victory snapped the Jaspers' two-game winning streak against the Rams.
LAST GAME--Fairleigh Dickinson 53, Manhattan 47
The Jaspers suffered their second straight loss, 53-47, against Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday afternoon at Draddy Gymnasium. Manhattan trailed 43-34 with nine minutes remaining, but responded with a 9-2 run to pull within two, 45-43, with 2:26 left. After Fairleigh Dickinson increased its lead to five, a Shayna Ericksen layup cut the Jaspers' deficit to three, 48-45, at the 38-second mark. However, the Knights drained five free throws down the stretch to seal a 53-47 victory. The Jaspers led the contest early in the first half, but the Knights used a 16-2 run midway through the period to open up a 30-22 halftime advantage. Monica Roeder drained five three-pointers and finished with a game-high 19 points, while Ericksen recorded her first career double-double with 12 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
BATTLE OF THE BRONX
Fordham holds a 3-0 lead over Manhattan in the 2012-13 all-sports series between the rivals. The Rams recorded a 1-0 victory in women's soccer, and won the men's soccer game in overtime by an identical 1-0 score. Fordham also posted a 7-0 win in women's tennis during the fall season. The 105th meeting between the Manhattan and Fordham men's basketball teams will take place tomorrow night.
