Riverdale, N.Y. (January 8, 2007)?After a tough loss to Iona, the Lady Jaspers play the second game of their three game home stand tonight against the Purple Eagles of Niagara. Tonight is the first of two meetings between the two schools; tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Today's Game: Manhattan and Niagara meet this evening in a MAAC game at Draddy Gymnasium. Manhattan comes in struggling, having lost five games in a row and seven of eight overall since upsetting Hartford at home. Niagara has lost two games in a row and is winless in MAAC play so far this season. With MAAC play now into full swing, Manhattan plays just one non-conference game the rest of the season, both teams will be looking to pick up an important conference win.
Last Time Out: The Lady Jaspers gave Iona, the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll favorite, everything they could handle until the Gaels pulled away late in the game. Manhattan led 32-29 at halftime and led for some of the second half until Iona grabbed the lead at 37-36. After both teams traded the lead back and forth, Kelly Regan hit a lay-up to give Manhattan a 54-53 lead with just under eight minutes remaining. However, a three-pointer from Tiara Headen on the ensuing possession helped Iona seize the lead for good. Headen's three was the beginning of a 18-9 run for the Gaels that put the game out of reach.
On the Horizon: Following this evening's contest, Iona welcomes in Loyola College for the conclusion of the Lady Jaspers' three game home stand. Following Friday's game, Manhattan travels to New Rochelle for a rematch with the Gaels.
Nwafili Out For The Year: The Lady Jaspers suffered a tough blow on December 13th when the team learned that guard Joann Nwafili would be lost for the year with a torn ACL. The junior suffered the injury in the second half of Manhattan's 52-42 victory at Siena. Up to this point in the season, Nwafili was averaging 6.8 points per game and was second on team in rebounds per game with 4.8, while starting every game for the Green & White. The injury caused Nwafili to miss a game for the first time since her freshmen year.
Last Year's Series: Manhattan swept the season series from the Purple Eagles last year, earning a 70-63 win in Riverdale in the first meeting. In that contest, Gabrielle Cottrell led Manhattan with 17 points while Shaunna Ambrose led all scorers with 19 points. In the return game, western New York native Kelly Regan recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and was one of five Manhattan players to score in double figures. Joann Nwafili was the Lady Jaspers' leading scorer with 15 points as Manhattan routed Niagara 73-46.
Series History: Niagara leads the all-time series 16-17, which dates back to the 1989-90 season. Manhattan won the initial game 77-52. Manhattan has won the last two thanks to last year's series sweep. The team's have spilt the last ten meetings, going back to the 2001-02 season.
Stellar Efforts: Flood and Kelly Regan did all they could help Manhattan knock-off Iona. Flood's was Manhattan's high scorer, dropping in 20 points on 8-14 shooting in 38 minutes. Regan put in 17 points on 7-13 shooting and was two rebounds short of a double-double with eight rebounds.
Doubling Up: Flood is one of just two of players in the MAAC to be leading her team in both points and rebounds, Siena's Laura Menty is the other.
