Manhattan University Athletics

Box Score | Box Score (PDF)

Niagara University, NY - In a match-up decided in the final seconds of play, the Manhattan Jaspers (6-11, 3-3 MAAC) fell to Niagara (6-10, 3-2 MAAC) 65-64 in the first meeting of the teams this season.

Up one with 34 seconds left to play, the Jaspers were unable to convert in their final possession, giving the ball back to Niagara with just under two seconds on the clock. The Purple Eagles inbounded to leading-scorer Victoria Rampado, who was fouled shooting a three by Manhattan freshman Courtney Warley (West Chester, PA / Bishop Shanahan) with just 0.4 on the clock.

Rampado, who had gone 3-4 from the free throw line so far in the game, headed to the line for three shots. After missing the first, she tied the game at 64-64 on the second and sank the third, giving the Purple Eagles a one-point lead. Though the Jaspers were able to run a quick inbound play, they were unable to get a shot off before the horn, giving Niagara the one-point victory at home. 

The Jaspers fell behind early in the game as Niagara ran out to a 12-2 start, but Manhattan climbed back to tie it up at 16 at the end of the first. The Jaspers led by two at the half, and took an eight-point lead into the final period, where they were outscored 21-12 by the Purple Eagles, including 12 from Rampado.

The Jaspers shot more than 40 percent from three for the game, going 11-27. Manhattan out-rebounded Niagara 36-30, as well, with Warley matching her career-high of 12 boards. But the Purple Eagles committed just six turnovers for the game, and scored 11 points off the Jaspers' 13 turnovers. They were also able to snag 10 more points in the paint, scoring 28 to Manhattan's 18. 

Senior Amani Tatum (Cambria Heights, NY / James Madison) led Manhattan with 19 points, including five threes, and five assists. Senior Kayla Grimme (Altoona, PA / Altoona Area) contributed 18 points for the Jaspers, going 8-14 from the floor. Freshman guard Lizahya Morgan (East Hartford, CT / Capital Magnet Preparatory) added 13 points for the Jaspers, hitting three threes and breaking her career high of 10 points set against Canisius on January 4. Warley added four blocks for Manhattan, just one off her career high, also set during the Canisius game. 

Up Next:
Manhattan returns home to face Iona on Thursday, January 18 at 7 p.m. in Draddy Gymnasium.