Riverdale, N.Y. (December 29, 2006)?Coming off a disheartening loss to Marquette, the Lady Jaspers will look to bounce back against another Big East opponent, Villanova University. This is the third time this season the Lady Jaspers will play a school from the Big East, as well as the final game of a five game road swing. The action tips off Saturday at 1:00 p.m. from the City of Brotherly Love.
The Match-up: The Lady Jaspers and Villanova meet Saturday in a non-conference match-up. This is the second straight Big East opponent for the Lady Jaspers, who took on Marquette last Thursday in Milwaukee, as well as the final game of a season long five game road trip. Manhattan has lost five of six games and three in a row. The Wildcats come in having lost two in a row, including a 61-54 defeat at the hands of MAAC member Loyola Thursday night.
Last Time Out: The Lady Jaspers found the Midwest to be quite unkind as they were beaten soundly by No. 21/23 Marquette in Milwaukee 89-38. Manhattan was outscored 39-10 in the paint, and watched as the Golden Eagles' Danielle Kamm scored a career high 26 points. Freshman point guard Michelle Pacheco scored a season high nine points and Gabrielle Cottrell was the team's leading scorer with 10 points.
On The Horizon: This afternoon's game is Manhattan's fifth game of a five game road trip. Following today's game, Manhattan goes back to MAAC play, taking on the Gaels of Iona to begin three game home stand against conference foes.
Series History: Saturday's game is the fifth meeting all-time between the two schools. Villanova won last year's meeting 66-51 in Riverdale and holds a 4-0 advantage in the series.
Scouting Villanova: The Wildcats come in at 0-1 in the Big East, falling at home 60-48 to South Florida and at 5-7 overall. Villanova is 1-2 against MAAC teams this season, losing to Loyola and defeating Fairfield and Marist. ?Nova is led by Jackie Adamshick and her 15.0 ppg and Lisa Karcic's 12.8 ppg. Offensively Villanova struggles, ranking 15th in the Big East in both scoring offensive at 58.9 ppg and field goal percentage at .389 percent. The Wildcats have been better on the defensive end however, holding opponents to just under 60 ppg, eighth in the Big East.
Making Her Presence Felt: Junior Caitlin Flood is shooting an even 50 percent on the season (45-90). Her sharp shooting has her tied for fourth in the MAAC in field goal percentage. Flood also leads the team in points and rebounds per game, averaging 11.0 and 6.1 respectively.
Follow The Game: Fans can follow the game live via Gametracker by clicking on the link in the schedule section of the women's basketball page.
