Riverdale, N.Y. (February 2, 2007)?The Lady Jaspers will return to action this evening when they take on reigning MAAC Player of the Week Sabra Wrice and the Fairfield Stags at Alumni Hall in Fairfield, Conn. Tonight's game is the first match-up of the season between the two longtime MAAC rivals and the 63rd meeting all-time. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Today's Game: The Lady Jaspers and Fairfield meet this evening in a MAAC contest at Alumni Hall. Manhattan is 2-2 in its last four games with wins coming at Rider and at home against Canisius. Fairfield is playing the final game of a four game home stand and have won three games in a row and four of five overall. Fairfield sports 5-4 home record on the season and 4-1 in the MAAC. Tonight's game is the 63rd all-time meeting between the two clubs.
Last Time Out: Saint Peter's shot 53.7 percent as the Peahens downed Manhattan 75-53 Monday evening at the Yanitelli Center. Tania Kennedy, who led all scorers with 20 points, knocked down two three-pointers to open the game. After Annie McIntyre and Gabrielle Cottrell hit shots to put Manhattan up 7-6, St. Peter's went on 22-4 run that gave the home side a 29-10 lead, which would be too much for Manhattan to overcome. Caitlin Flood and Kelly Regan scored in double figures for the Lady J's with 12 points a piece, while St. Peter's Laum Reke added 19 points.
On the Horizon: Following tonight's game, Manhattan begins a three game home stand when they welcome first place Marist to Draddy Gym on Super Bowl Sunday. After playing the Red Foxes, Fairfield will travel down to Riverdale for a rematch with the Lady J's next Friday.
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.
Hurting Lady Jaspers: To compound Nwafili's injury, the Lady Jaspers have been bitten by the injury bug this season. Including her injury, which has forced her to miss 13 games so far, six other players have combined to miss 26 games due to a variety of aliments, bringing the total to 39 games with Nwafili's injury. Only four players have suited up for every game, Caitlin Flood, Kelly Regan, Gabrielle Cottrell, and Jenna Franciosa.
Series History: Today's game is the 63rd all-time meeting between Manhattan and Fairfield, making the Stags the Lady Jaspers' most played opponent. The series has been very even with Fairfield holding a 32-30 edge all-time against the Lady J's.
Series Facts: Manhattan swept last year's series, winning 58-52 at home behind 13 points from Joann Nwafili. The Lady J's won the rematch at Fairfield 58-49 with help from Caitlin Flood's 17 points... Manhattan has won three of the last four meetings and eight of ten. Manhattan has won those eight meetings by an average of 13 points... The Lady Jaspers are 4-1 in their last five games at Fairfield, with Manhattan winning those games by an average of 16.7 points.
Follow The Game: Fans who cannot make it to the game can follow the proceedings live via Gametracker by clicking on the link in the schedule section on the main page of gojaspers.com
