Game 27: Manhattan Jaspers (6-20, 3-12 MAAC) at Niagara Purple Eagles (13-13, 8-7 MAAC)
Sunday, February 24, 2013-2 p.m.
Niagara University, N.Y.-Gallagher Center (3,200)
Live Video: www.purpleeagles.com
Live Audio: www.purpleeagles.com
ABOUT THE GAME
The Jaspers (6-20, 3-12 MAAC) conclude their- four-game road trip, as well as their 2012-13 road schedule, with this afternoon's matchup against Niagara (13-13, 8-7 MAAC) at the Gallagher Center. Manhattan has dropped its last five contests, including a 63-47 loss at Canisius on Friday night. Also on Friday night, the Purple Eagles snapped a two-game skid with a 50-39 victory over Fairfield. This is the first meeting of the season between the Jaspers and Purple Eagles, who will play again next Sunday in Riverdale.
ABOUT THE JASPERS
Manhattan (6-20, 3-12 MAAC) plays its final road game of the 2012-13 season this afternoon. The Jaspers have dropped nine out of 10, including their last five, and are coming off a 63-47 loss at Canisius on Friday night. Junior guard Monica Roeder is averaging 15.0 points over the last three games and is Manhattan's leading scorer (12.2 ppg). Roeder also ranks third in the MAAC in three-pointers per game (2.0). Senior forward Toni-Ann Lawrence contributes 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest, while junior guard Allison Skrec distributes a MAAC-leading 4.9 assists per outing. She also paces the Jaspers with 2.0 steals a night. Freshman forward Shayna Ericksen is Manahttan's leading rebounder (6.5 rpg), and she also tallies 7.1 points per game. The Jaspers wrap up the regular season with a pair of home contests next week, starting with a 7 p.m. matchup against Iona on "Play 4 Kay" Night at Draddy Gymnasium on Thursday.
ABOUT THE PURPLE EAGLES
Niagara (13-13, 8-7 MAAC) moved into a tie for fourth place in the MAAC with a 50-39 victory over Fairfield on Friday night. That victory snapped a two-game losing streak for the Purple Eagles. Junior center Lauren Gatto ranks third in the MAAC in scoring (14.8 ppg) and second in the league in field goal percentage (.494). She also paces the Purple Eagles in rebounding, pulling down 6.3 per contest. Sophomore guard Meghan McGuinness contributes 9.3 points per game and drains 1.7 three-pointers per outing. Junior guard Kayla Stroman ranks second in the league with 4.0 assists per game. She also tallies 6.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.4 steals a night, and is currently fourth in the MAAC in assist/turnover ratio (1.3). Junior forward Shy Britton averages 6.5 points per contest to go along with a team-best 0.8 blocks per outing. The Purple Eagles host Canisius on Friday night before taking on the Jaspers again next Sunday in Riverdale.
SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan and Niagara are meeting for the first time this season. The Purple Eagles won both matchups in 2011-12, notching a 61-55 victory at Draddy Gymnasium on Feb. 10, 2012, before concluding the regular season with a 56-44 triumph at the Gallagher Center on Feb. 26, 2012. The Jaspers swept the season series in 2010-11. Overall, this is the 48th meeting between the squads, with Manhattan leading the all-time series 24-23.
LAST GAME--Canisius 63, Manhattan 47
The Jaspers fell to Canisius by a 63-47 margin at the Koessler Athletic Center on Friday night. There were four lead changes in the opening 11:30, and Manhattan went in front 10-9 on a Toni-Ann Lawrence layup at the 8:30 mark. Canisius responded with a pair of treys to go up by five, 15-10, before Lawrence hit a jumper to pull Manhattan within 15-12. However, the Griffs ended the first half on a 13-4 rally to take a 28-16 advantage into the locker room. The Jaspers opened the second half on a 14-7 run to trim their deficit to five, 35-30, but would get no closer. Canisius outscored Manhattan 16-6 down the stretch to seal a 63-47 victory. Monica Roeder finished one rebound shy of her first career double-double, posting 16 points and a career-high nine boards. Lawrence added 13 points, seven rebounds and a career-best five assists, while Allison Skrec had 10 points and six assists.