Hamden, Conn. (December 18, 2005)--Despite shooting better than its opponent for the seventh time in the season's first nine games, Manhattan Women's Basketball dropped a 66-58 decision at Northeast Conference member Quinnipiac University on Sunday afternoon in Hamden, Conn. Playing in her first game in over three weeks, Manhattan sophomore guard Aubrie Dellinger netted 11 of her team-high 13 points in the second half, while freshman forward Kelly Regan recorded 12 points and nine rebounds for the Lady Jaspers.
With less than 14 minutes remaining in regulation and Manhattan trailing Quinnipiac by a 44-35 margin, Dellinger scored nine points in less than two and a half minutes to keep the Lady Jaspers within striking distance. The sophomore guard cut the Bobcats' lead to five points at the 11:08 mark of the second half by nailing four consecutive jump shots, with the fourth being a three-pointer from the top of the key.
Despite Dellinger's hot hand, Manhattan was unable to further slice into the Quinnipiac lead, partially due to the Bobcats' huge advantage at the free throw line. Quinnipiac attempted 20 second-half free throws to Manhattan's three. For the game, the Bobcats were 20-27 from the charity stripe, while the Lady Jaspers converted on five of their seven attempts. Quinnipiac also held an edge in rebounding, as Bobcat forward Monique Lee pulled down a game-high 11 boards to go with 12 points.
Manhattan controlled much of the first half and led by as many as nine points at one juncture, but Quinnipiac outscored the Lady Jaspers 13-4 over the final 5:32 of the half to pull even at the break. After two Caitlin Flood layups gave Manhattan a 25-16 advantage with 5:47 remaining in the first period, the Bobcats rattled off 11 points over the next 2:54.
Manhattan does not resume play until after the Christmas holiday, when the Lady Jaspers take on Big East member Villanova University on December 30 at 3:00 p.m. The game is the first half of a basketball doubleheader at Draddy Gym.