Manhattan-Fairfield Game Notes
Game 23: Fairfield Stags (13-9, 7-4 MAAC) at Manhattan Jaspers (6-16, 3-8 MAAC)
Monday, February 11, 2013-7 p.m.
Riverdale, N.Y.-Draddy Gymnasium (2,520)
Live Video: JasperVision HD
Live Audio: www.gojaspers.com, www.fairfieldstags.com
ABOUT THE GAME
The Jaspers (6-16, 3-8 MAAC) conclude their three-game homestand by welcoming Fairfield (13-9, 7-4 MAAC) to Draddy Gymnasium for "National Girls & Women In Sports Night." Tonight's contest was originally scheduled for Sunday afternoon, but was postponed a day because of the blizzard that hit the Northeast over the weekend. Manhattan is looking to rebound after a 54-51 loss to Siena on Friday night, while the Stags have dropped two straight, inclduing a 55-44 defeat at Rider on Thursday night.
ABOUT THE JASPERS
Tonight is the last of three consecutive home contests for Manhattan (6-16, 3-8 MAAC). The Jaspers' last three games have all been decided by three points, including a 54-51 loss to Siena on Friday night. Junior guard Monica Roeder has averaged 20.0 points over the last three games and leads the Jaspers in scoring (12.3 ppg). Roeder is second in the MAAC with 2.1 three-pointers per game. Senior forward Toni-Ann Lawrence ranks second on the squad in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 9.0 points and 5.9 boards per contest. Freshman forward Shayna Ericksen pulls down a team-high 7.0 rebounds a night. Ericksen also tallies 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per contest. Junior guard Allison Skrec paces the MAAC with 4.5 assists per outing to go along with 8.2 points per game. Manhattan begins a four-game road trip with its final visit to Baltimore for a conference matchup with Loyola on Friday night.
ABOUT THE STAGS
Despite dropping three of its last four games, Fairfield (14-9, 7-4 MAAC) currently sits second in the MAAC. The Stags are coming off a 55-44 loss at Rider on Thursday night. Junior forward Katie Cizynski paces the Stags in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 12.2 points and 8.3 boards per outing. Junior forward Brittany Obi-Tabot adds 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest, and senior guard Katelyn Linney contributes 9.1 points a night. Linney also ranks third in the MAAC in three-pointers per game (2.0), while junior guard Alexys Vazquez drains a conference-best 2.1 treys per contest. In addition, Vazquez is second in the MAA in three-point percentage (.407). Sophomore guard Felicia DaCruz hands out a team-leading 3.5 assists per game. As a team, the Stags allow just 52.8 points per game, the fewest in the MAAC. Fairfield returns to action with a matchup against Canisius on Thursday.
SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan has faced Fairfield more than any other opponent in program history. This is the 76th all-time meeting in a series that dates back to the 1978-79 season. The Stags hold a 39-36 advantage in the all-time series. Fairfield has won three straight against Manhattan, including a 76-50 triumph at Alumni Hall on Jan. 20. The Jaspers' last win over the Stags was a 53-44 victory at Draddy Gymnasium on Feb. 25, 2011.
LAST GAME--Siena 54, Manhattan 51
A potential game-tying three-point attempt by Nicole Isaacs was blocked at the buzzer, giving Siena a 54-51 victory over Manhattan at Draddy Gymnasium on Friday night. The Jaspers rallied from 10 points down to take a 51-50 lead with 1:21 remaining, but Siena hit a pair of free throws to immediately go back in front. With Manhattan trailing 54-51, Toni-Ann Lawrence grabbed a clutch offensive rebound with six seconds left, setting up the final play. The contest featured five ties and seven lead changes. Manhattan jumped out to an early 6-2 lead before Siena used an 11-2 run to open up a 23-15 advantage. The Saints led 30-22 at halftime and extended the margin to a game-high 10 points, 32-22, early in the second half. Monica Roeder scored a game-high 18 points, while Lawrence contributed 12 points to go along with a career-high four blocks and Allison Skrec added 11 points.
