Game 11: Manhattan Jaspers (3-7) at Monmouth Hawks (2-7)
Friday, December 28, 2012-3 p.m.
West Long Branch, N.J.-Multipurpose Activity Center (4,100)
Video: www.gomuhawks.com
Audio: www.gomuhawks.com
ABOUT THE GAME
Manhattan (3-7) returns to action for the first time in nine days with this afternoon's matchup against Monmouth (2-7) at the Multipurpose Activity Center. In their last game, the Jaspers recorded a 58-49 victory over Ohio at Draddy Gymnasium on Dec. 19. The Hawks last played on Dec. 22, when they dropped an 82-53 decision to Delaware. This is Manhattan's final non-conference game of the season. The Jaspers begin Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play at Saint Peter's on Jan. 3.
ABOUT THE JASPERS
The Jaspers (3-7) have been off since knocking off Ohio 58-49 on Dec. 19. Junior guard Monica Roeder paces the Jaspers in scoring, averaging 10.4 points per game. Roeder also drains a team-high 2.0 three-pointers per contest. Freshman forward Shayna Ericksen ranks second on the squad in scoring (10.2 ppg) while also pulling down a team-best 7.3 rebounds per outing. In addition, Ericksen posts 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest. Senior forward Toni-Ann Lawrence contributes 9.5 points per game and is shooting .487 from the field, while junior guard Allison Skrec hands out a team-leading 2.8 assists per contest. Senior guard Ondya Morgan distributes 2.5 assists per game and also leads the Jaspers in steals (2.0 spg). This is Manhattan's final non-conference contest o f the season, as well as the first game in a span where the Jaspers play four out of five away from home. Manhattan returns to New Jersey for a matchup with Saint Peter's on Jan. 3.
ABOUT THE HAWKS
Monmouth (2-7) has dropped its last four games, including an 82-53 loss to Delaware on Dec. 22. Senior guard Alysha Womack was a Preseason All-NEC selection. She ranks fifth in the NEC in scoring, averaging 16.3 points per game. Womack also leads the Hawks with 2.0 steals per contest. Junior guard/forward Chevannah Paalvast contributes 11.3 points per outing, while senior forward Abigail Martin records 7.4 points and a team-leading 5.9 rebounds a night. Senior forward Betsy Gadziala grabs 5.7 rebounds per game, and senior guard Gabby Singer hands out a team-high 2.1 assists per contest. That quintet has started every game this season for Monmouth. Sophomore forward Sara English notches 1.4 blocks per game off the bench. The Hawks conclude their non-conference schedule with a visit to No. 4 Duke on Sunday before opening Northeast Conference play next Saturday at Mount St. Mary's.
SERIES HISTORY
This is the 14th all-time meeting between the Jaspers and Hawks, with Manhattan leading the series 8-5. Manhattan has won its last seven games against Monmouth, including a 71-59 overtime decision at Draddy Gymnasium on Dec. 17, 2011. The last time the squads met in New Jersey, Manhattan notched a 44-40 win during the 1991-92 season. Starting next season, the Jaspers and Hawks will meet twice annually, as Monmouth joins the MAAC in 2013-14.
LAST GAME--Manhattan 58, Ohio 49
Manhattan played arguably its best game of the year on Dec. 19, leading virtually start-to-finish in a 58-49 victory over Ohio at Draddy Gymnasium. After Ohio took an early 6-4 lead, the Jaspers went on a 10-0 run to take control. Manhattan extended the margin to nine points, 25-16, with 5:15 remaining in the half, and led 27-21 at halftime. The Jaspers held a 49-38 advantage with 5:01 remaining before the Bobcats scored five straight points to make it a five-point game at 49-44. However, Manhattan got jumpers from Toni-Ann Lawrence and Ashley Stec on its next two possessions, then Allison Skrec sank a pair of free throws to cap off the 58-49 victory. Monica Roeder led the Jaspers with 15 points, while Shayan Ericksen and Lawrence added 10 points apiece. Maggie Blair grabbed a career-high eight rebounds in the game.