Bridgeport, Conn. (March 1, 2007)?The Lady Jaspers used a 12-5 run over the final four minutes of the game, as Manhattan knocked off Niagara 57-53, earning them a date with top seeded Marist tomorrow afternoon. Caitlin Flood led all Manhattan scorers with 18 points, while Kelly Regan chipped in 14. With the win, Manhattan advances to the MAAC Quarterfinals and draws the Red Foxes tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.
Trailing by seven at halftime, Niagara came flying out of the gates, outscoring the Lady Jaspers 20-10 over the first 11 minutes of the half. A three-pointer by the Purple Eagles' Chantelle Wilson gave Niagara a 46-43 lead, their first since midway through the first half. After the team's traded baskets, a three-pointer by Gabrielle Cottrell, and a jumper from Kelly Regan put Manhattan in front 50-48 with 3:42 remaining.
Leading 52-51, Manhattan scored four straight points, a jumper by Cottrell, and a lay-up from Flood, to lead 56-51 with just 53 seconds to play. On Niagara's next possession, Erika Harris drew a foul and converted both her shots to cut Manhattan's lead to 56-53. After Aubrie Dellinger missed a shot from the corner, Niagara had a chance to tie with 21 seconds remaining. Niagara put the ball in hands of Harris, whose three point attempt with eight seconds left fell short, as Regan secured the win for Manhattan by snatching the rebound.
In the first half, Manhattan used 12 points from Kelly Regan, and a long scoring drought from Niagara to lead by seven at halftime. Trailing 17-15, the Lady Jaspers tied the score on a Jenna Franciosa field goal with 9:30 let in the half. After a lay-up from Regan, Niagara's Kristina Walton tied the score at 19 with just over eight minutes to play. But after Walton's basket, Niagara would score just once more over the next six plus minutes of the half, as Manhattan extended their lead to 33-22 with one minute to play on the heels of a 14-3 run. Niagara would creep closer by scoring the half's final four points to get to within 33-26 at the break. Ambrose scored Niagara's first 10 points, but quickly found herself on the bench in foul trouble; Ambrose wouldn't score again until the final minute of the half.
With the win, Manhattan advances to the MAAC Quarterfinals for the fourth straight year. During the season, Marist posted two wins over the Lady Jaspers, 70-30 in Poughkeepsie, and 71-51 in Riverdale.
