Manhattan University Athletics

Riverdale, NY - Less than a week ago, the Manhattan women's basketball team found themselves down by as many as 13 in the first quarter against Fairfield, eventually losing to the Stags 55-52 in a road match-up at Alumni Hall. On Saturday, February 10, the tables were turned, as Manhattan took an early and convincing 13-point lead in the first, finishing the game with an 11-point win at Draddy Gymnasium. With the victory, the Jaspers improve to 10-14 overall and 7-6 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Fairfield falls to 10-14 and 7-6 in the league. 
 
Senior guard Amani Tatum (Cambria Heights, NY / James Madison) had a team-high 17 points for Manhattan, including eight in a hotly contested fourth-quarter, where the Stags outscored the Jaspers 15-14. Kayla Grimme (Altoona, PA / Altoona Area) contributed a double-double, her seventh of the season, with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Manhattan's all-time block leader, she also smashed three blocked shots. Sophomore Gabby Cajou (Stony Point, NY / North Rockland) put in eight points, as well as contributing four steals and three assists. 

Manhattan opened the game on a 10-5 run, including five points a piece from Tatum and Grimme. The Jaspers also held the Stags to no points in the second half of the first quarter. Though Fairfield outscored Manhattan 14-12 in the second, the Jaspers kept up the defensive pressure, converting Fairfield's four turnovers to five points, and earning three points off fast-breaks. At the half, the Jaspers found themselves up 30-19. 

Both teams were plagued by scoring issues in the third: Fairfield shot 23.5 percent in the quarter, while the Jaspers could manage just 11.8 percent. But the difference maker was at the foul line, where Manhattan went 7-8 in the period, while the Stags shot and made just one free throw. Manhattan took a 41-29 lead into the fourth. 
 
In the final period, Tatum took over, ensuring a Fairfield comeback wasn't in the cards. The team captain went 3-6, hitting eight of Manhattan's 14 fourth-quarter points. She committed zero turnovers in the last 10 minutes, and converted and old-fashioned three-point play that put the Jaspers up by 20 with just over five minutes left to play. 

Manhattan held the Stags to their third-lowest scoring effort of the season. The Jaspers also committed just 12 turnovers, their lowest turnover performance in a MAAC game so far this season. 

Up Next:
After two games at home, Manhattan travels to Monmouth Monday night. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Ocean First Bank Center. It will be the Jaspers' third game in five days.