Game 25: Manhattan Jaspers (6-18, 3-10 MAAC) at Marist Red Foxes (18-6, 13-0 MAAC)
Sunday, February 17, 2013-2 p.m.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-McCann Arena (3,200)
Live Video: JasperVision, MAAC.tv
Live Audio: www.goredfoxes.com
ABOUT THE GAME
The Jaspers (6-18, 3-10 MAAC) continue their season-long four-game road trip with a visit to first-place Marist (18-6, 13-0 MAAC) this afternoon at McCann Arena. This is Marist's "Play 4 Kay" game for breast cancer awareness. Manhattan is looking to snap a three-game skid and is coming off a 54-34 loss at Loyola on Friday night. The Red Foxes, meanwhile, have won 23 straight contests against MAAC foes since a loss to the Jaspers last season. Marist defeated Niagara, 68-41, on Friday.
ABOUT THE JASPERS
Manhattan (6-18, 3-10 MAAC) has dropped three straight, including a 54-34 loss at Loyola on Friday night. Junior guard Monica Roeder paces the Jaspers offensively with an average of 12.0 points per game. Roeder also ranks second in the MAAC with 2.0 three-pointers per contest. Senior forward Toni-Ann Lawrence tallies 92.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per outing to rank second on the team in each category. Junior guard Allison Skrec contributes 8.4 points per outing to go along with a MAAC-leading 4.7 assists a night. Skrec also leads the team with 2.2 steals per contest. Freshman forward Shayna Ericksen grabs a team-high 6.9 rebounds per contest, while also leading Manhattan with 0.9 blocks per game and ranking second on the team in steals (1.9 spg). The Jaspers are in the midst of a season-long four-game road trip, which continues with their annual Buffalo swing for matchups with Canisius and Niagara next weekend.
ABOUT THE RED FOXES
The Red Foxes (18-6, 13-0 MAAC) will clinch at least a share of their 10th consecutive MAAC regular season title with a victory this afternoon. Marist is coming off a 68-41 victory over Niagara on Friday. Five different Red Foxes average at least 9.3 points per game, led by senior forward/guard Elizabeth Beynnon's 11.5 points per outing. Junior guard Casey Dulin contributes 9.3 points a night and hands out a team-high 3.2 assists per contest. Junior guard Leanne Ockenden drains 1.7 three-pointers per game and also leads the team in steals (2.3 spg). In addition, Ockenden tallies 9.2 points per game. Junior forward Emma O'Connor adds 9.6 points a night, and senior guard/forward Kristina Danella pours in 9.3 points per contest. Danella is also Marist's leading rebounder (4.7 rpg). As a team, Marist ranks second in the MAAC in scoring (62.2 ppg). The Red Foxes continue their four-game homestand against Rider on Friday night.
SERIES HISTORY
Marist has won 62 of its last 64 games against MAAC opponents, with the only two losses during that span coming against Manhattan. The Red Foxes posted a 60-39 victory over the Jaspers when the sides met at Draddy Gymnasium on Jan. 25. Manhattan leads the all-time series 23-21, but hasn't won in Poughkeepsie since a 72-63 triumph on Feb. 21, 2003, a span of nine meetings. Last season at McCann Arena, the Red Foxes registered a 61-41 win on Jan. 9, 2012.
LAST GAME--Loyola 54, Manhattan 34
Manhattan struggled offensively on Friday night, shooting just 26 percent (13-of-50) from the field and 11.8 percent (2-of-17) from three-point range in a 54-34 loss to Loyola at Reitz Arena. The Jaspers scored the first basket of the game, but the Greyhounds responded with eight points of their own to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish. After Manhattan trimmed its deficit to four, 17-13, Loyola ended the first half on a 7-2 run to take a 24-15 advantage into the locker room. Loyola broke the game open with a 22-7 spurt to open the second half, and the Greyhounds' lead reached a game-high 25 points at 52-27. Manhattan pulled within 18 at 52-34 before Loyola finished off a 54-34 win. Monica Roeder tallied a team-high 14 points and tied her career-best with eight rebounds. Toni-Ann Lawrence added nine points and six boards, while Allison Skrec finished with six points and five assists.
PLAY 4 KAY
The Jaspers will be wearing pink t-shirts during pregame warmups tonight in support of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's "Play 4 Kay" initiative for breast cancer awareness. This is the Jaspers' second straight "Play 4 Kay" game, and the second of three they will play this season. Manhattan hosts Iona in a "Play 4 Kay" game at Draddy Gymnasium on Feb. 28. This marks the sixth straight year in which all 10 MAAC teams are participating in the event. In addition, the Jaspers once again volunteered at the Susan G. Komen New York City Race for the Cure at Central Park West in September. The team worked the first water station, handing out water to the 25,000 runners/walkers on the 5K course.