Bridgeport, Conn. (February 10 2008) ? Manhattan's perfect 42 second half points was not enough as the Lady Jaspers fell to Fairfield University today, 71-66. Senior Caitlin Flood led all scorers with 20 points as she was 6-11 from the field.
It took a few minutes for the Lady Jaspers to get started as they went down 3-0 real quick at the start of the game. But a three by Gabrielle Cottrell tied the game up as Manhattan looked to get going. The Lady J defense had trouble stopping Fairfield's Baendu Lowenthal as she scored the first six of the Stags seven points. For a three minute stretch, Manhattan was matching basket for basket with Fairfield, but still found themselves down 19-15 with just under 10 minutes to play in the half. But the three ball kept the Lady J's in it once again, as Aubrie Dellinger hit one from the sideline to cut Manhattan's deficit to six, 30-24. A chance to bring some momentum in the locker room as freshman Nicole Harrison drove the lane with time running out in the half. Her off balanced lay-up rolled around the rim once and limped out as the Lady Jaspers were staring at a 14 point deficit going into the locker room, 38-24.
Flood had 10 first half points off of 4-6 shooting alongside Nwafili's four points. The Lady J's needed an answer to stop the Stags' offense coming into the last half of play.
Manhattan came out on fire in the second half as they opened up with a 7-0 run to cut their deficit to seven, 31-38. The Lady J's defense held Fairfield to just three points in the five and half minutes of the second half, but still trailed, 41-34. They had a spark on the defensive side as Cottrell threw the Stags' Tara Flaherty's shot into the stands, as the ladies were looking to chip away at the Stags. The Lady Jasper hung tough with them throughout the second half, getting closer and holding strong on defense.
With 6:04 left in the game, Aubrie Dellinger hit a three pointer which cut Fairfield's lead to four, 53-49. Soon after, Abby Wentworth came down the court, drove the lane and made the bucket while drawing the foul. Wentworth converted the three point play as Manhattan still now only trailed by three, 57-54 with just under five minutes to play. But turnovers were the dagger as Manhattan could not pull any closer. The Lady Jaspers fell at the Arena at Harbor Yard, 71-66 to the Stags.
Flood was a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line as she grabbed four boards and dished out three assists. Nwafili finished the game with 14 points, tying her season high, and six boards. Manhattan was a perfect 19-19 from the free throw line as a team. The team was also 42.9% from the field while grabbing 28 total rebounds.
The Lady Jaspers will return to action on Friday, February 15 where they will play local rival Iona College on Manhattan's “Think Pink” day. The women's team will play the first of a double header; tip-off is schedule for 5:30 p.m.
