Box Score
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – On Saturday afternoon, the Manhattan College women's basketball team concluded its annual Western New York trip with a visit to Niagara. Looking to rebound after a loss at Canisius on Thursday, the Jaspers (7-16, 3-11 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) were unable to overcome a second-quarter run by Niagara, as the Purple Eagles (6-17, 3-11 MAAC) posted a 65-42 win at the Gallagher Center.
The teams traded buckets early on, as there were four lead changes in the opening 5:30 of the contest. However, after a Kayla Grimme (Altoona, PA) layup put Manhattan up 8-7 with 3:39 left in the first quarter, Niagara went on an 8-0 rally to pull ahead 15-8. It was 19-10 in favor of the Purple Eagles after one quarter, and Niagara then outscored the Jaspers 26-9 in the second period to extend the margin to 45-19.
Niagara's lead reached a game-high 30 points at 54-24 with 3:00 left in the third quarter, and the Purple Eagles held a 54-28 advantage entering the final period. The Jaspers started the fourth quarter on a 6-2 spurt to trim their deficit to 22 points, 56-34, and a Nyasha Irizarry (Brooklyn, NY) three-pointer with 17 seconds remaining made the final score 65-42.
“In the second half, we did a much better job battling on the boards,” Head Coach Heather Vulin said. “A couple people came in and stepped up. But in the end of the day, when you give up a big run like that, it's really hard to come back.”
Grimme led Manhattan with 13 points and seven rebounds. She also registered five blocks. Irizarry added seven points, while Morgan Graziano (Holmdel, NJ) tallied career-highs with six points and five boards. Amani Tatum (Cambria Heights, NY) handed out six assists for the Jaspers, who shot 30.5 percent (18-of-59) from the field. Manhattan went 3-for-18 (16.7 percent) from three-point land and 3-for-8 (37.5 percent) at the free throw line.
Kaylee Stroemple posted 17 points and eight rebounds to pace the Purple Eagles. Victoria Rampado finished with 16 points and eight boards, while Jamie Sherburne tallied eight points to go along with five assists. Morgan Baughman contributed seven points, and Maggie McIntyre distributed six assists. Niagara shot 40.4 percent (23-of-57) from the floor, 28.6 percent (4-of-14) from long range, and 78.9 percent (15-of-19) at the charity stripe. The Purple Eagles also outrebounded the Jaspers 41-38.
Manhattan hits the road again on Friday, when it wraps up a span where it played five out of six away from home at Siena (9-14, 8-6 MAAC). The Jaspers posted a 68-66 victory over the Saints when the teams met at Draddy Gymnasium on Dec. 30.
NOTES: Niagara swept the season series for the second time in three years…The Purple Eagles lead the all-time series 30-28…Graziano had four career points entering the game…Her previous career-high in rebounds was three against Saint Peter's on Jan. 30…Grimme had five blocks for the third time this season…Guiton returned to the starting lineup for the first time since the game at Rider on Jan. 26.