Providence, R.I. (November 17) ? Despite a late second half push, Providence College held off Manhattan to take a victory 55-51. Senior Aubrie Dellinger led all scorers with 17 points alongside six rebounds for the Lady J's offense.
In the first half, a steal and a bucket by freshman Abby Wentworth alongside a three pointer from Gabrielle Cottrel, pushed the Lady Jaspers out ahead early in the game, 5-0. The game would stay close in the half, as the largest lead was five for either team. The first half alone saw five lead changes and seven ties as both teams headed for the locker room with the score knotted at 29. Manhattan was showing strength in numbers out on the court as they shot 62% from the field in the first half. The Lady J's were also 8-13 from behind the free throw line as they posted a 61% free throw percentage. Manhattan knew it had to come out just as strong in the second half in order to take on the taller Lady Friar team.
With the Lady Jaspers down 37-35 with 13 minutes left in the second half, Dellinger hit three consecutive three pointers to keep them in the game. Her last three tied the game at 44 with just under 10 minutes to play. But Providence was not going to give up as they built up the largest lead of the game 55-48 with three minutes left in the game. A jumper by Caitlin Flood and a foul shot later pushed the Lady J's closer to the Lady Friars, but not close enough as Providence escaped with a victory.
Alongside Dellinger's 17 point, six rebound performance, senior Joann Nwafili added 10 points a game high nine rebounds. Flood added 13 points as Wentworth led the game with three steals on the night.
Manhattan will return to action after the holiday on Saturday, November 24 as they will take on Stony Brook University at Draddy Gym with a scheduled time of 4:00 p.m. It will be the first game of a Manhattan Basketball double-header as the men's team will take on St. Francis College at 7:00 p.m.
