Game 10: Ohio Bobcats (4-5) at Manhattan Jaspers (2-7)
Wednesday, December 19, 2012-7 p.m.
Riverdale, N.Y.-Draddy Gymnasium (2,520)
Video: JasperVision HD
Audio: www.gojaspers.com, www.ohiobobcats.com
ABOUT THE GAME
The Jaspers (2-7) return to Draddy Gymnasium for their final non-conference home game of the season tonight against Ohio (4-5). Manhattan dropped a 55-38 decision at Sacred Heart on Monday night, while Ohio was won three straight, including a 55-48 triumph at Marshall on Saturday. Following the game, the Jaspers have a nine-day holiday break before playing four of their next five on the road, starting with a matchup at future MAAC foe Monmouth to conclude non-conference play on Dec. 28.
ABOUT THE JASPERS
Manhattan (2-7) looks to rebound after a 55-38 loss at Sacred Heart on Monday night. Freshman forward Shayna Ericksen paces the Jaspers in both scoring and rebounding. She averages 10.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Ericksen also records a team-best 1.1 blocks per outing. Junior guard Monica Roeder contributes 9.9 points and a team-leading 1.9 three-pointers per contest, while senior forward Toni-Ann Lawrence tallies 9.4 points and 5.7 boards a night. Senior guard Ondya Morgan leads Manhattan in both assists (2.8 apg) and steals (2.2 spg). As a team, the Jaspers lead in the MAAC in turnover margin (+5.44) while also ranking second in the league with 11.6 steals per game. The Jaspers have an eight-day holiday break before concluding their non-conference schedule with a visit to future MAAC rival Monmouth on Dec. 28. That contest begins a span where Manhattan plays four of its next five on the road.
ABOUT THE BOBCATS
After dropping five straight, Ohio (4-5) enters tonight's contest on a three-game winning streak. The Bobcats posted a 55-48 victory at Marshall on Saturday. Freshman guard Kiyanna Black is Ohio's top scorer. She averages 11.7 points per game. Junior guard Shavon Robinson contributes 10.4 points per contest, while junior guard Erin Bailes notches 8.1 points per outing and drains a team-best 2.1 three-pointers a night. Bailes also ranks third in the MAC in three-point percentage (.459). Freshman forward Lexie Baldwin has come off the bench in every game this season and leads the Bobcats in both rebounds (6.1 rpg) and blocks (1.1 bpg). Senior guard Ashley Fowler, who currently ranks third in the MAC in minutes played, distributes 3.5 assists per game to go along with a team-leading 2.4 steals per outing. Ohio continues its four-game road trip at LIU Brooklyn on Friday afternoon before concluding non-conference play with a matchup at Xavier.
SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan has never faced Ohio in women's basketball. The Bobcats are one of two first-time opponents on the Jaspers' 2012-13 schedule. Manhattan defeated Oakland 47-43 on Dec. 8 in its first-ever meeting with the Golden Grizzlies. The Jaspers are 3-4 all-time against current members of the Mid-American Conference, but haven't taken on a MAC opponent since Nov. 18, 2006, when they dropped a 61-45 decision to Buffalo.
LAST GAME--Sacred Heart 55, Manhattan 38
After an even first half, Sacred Heart used a 26-4 second-half run to pull away from the Jaspers en route to a 55-38 victory at the William H. Pitt Center on Monday night. Sacred Heart quickly jumped out to a 9-2 lead, but Manhattan battled back, taking a 19-17 lead on a Shayna Ericksen jumper with 5:57 left before halftime. The score was knotted 25-25 at intermission, and Manhattan scored six of the first eight points of the second half to open up a 31-27 lead. However, the Pioneers responded with an 11-0 rally to go ahead 38-31. Monica Roeder's layup at the 6:38 mark brought the Jaspers back within six, 40-34, but Sacred Heart countered with a 15-1 spurt to extend its advantage to 20 points, 55-35. Ashley Stec hit a late three-pointer to round out the scoring in Manhattan's 55-38 loss. Stec notched career-highs with 12 points and six rebounds to pace the Jaspers.