Bridgeport, CT (December 4, 2003)- In the MAAC opener for both teams, the Fairfield University Stags defeated the Lady Jaspers, 80-63, handing Manhattan its first loss of the season. Senior
Rosalee Mason registered a double-double with game-highs of 24 points and 12 rebounds.
The opening stanza was a see-saw affair that saw eight ties and five lead changes as neither team could grab control of the game. Fairfield held a five point lead, 14-9, with 15:08 left in the first half before Manhattan (3-1, 0-1) used a 7-2 run to knot the score at 16 with 13:27 left before halftime. The Lady Jaspers took a four point lead, their largest of the game, after a fast break layup by junior
Donnette Reed made the score 28-24 with 7:43 left before halftime. However, the Stags (2-3, 1-0) went on a 12-4 run to end the half and went into the break with a 36-32 lead.
Fairfield held a six point lead, 55-49, with 13:37 left before using a 13-6 run to open a 17 point lead, its largest of the game, with 7:46 left in the game. The run included a stretch of 5:07 between points for the Lady Jaspers. Manhattan responded to that run with a run of its own, scoring eight straight points to pull within nine at 68-59 with 6:22 remaining, but could draw no closer.
Serra Sangar (15 points) and Reed (10 points, nine assists) joined Mason in double figures. Schrene Isidora tallied 23 points to lead the Stags, who shot 57.7% (30-52) from the field for the game.
The Lady Jaspers return to action on Sunday, December 7, when they travel to Baltimore, MD to take on the Loyola Grayhounds. Tipoff is slated for 2:00 p.m.
