Riverdale, NY (January 30, 2005)- Manhattan came from behind to defeat Siena today at Draddy Gym, 65-60, in a game that featured eight ties and four lead changes. The Saints led 51-46 at the 5:01 mark, but the Lady Jaspers went on a decisive 10-0 run over the next three minutes to take the lead for good and snap a four-game skid.
Siena (9-10, 6-4 MAAC) took a 31-24 lead into halftime, and held the lead until senior
Serra Sangar, who led all scorers with 16 points, hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 40 with 10:30 remaining. Manhattan (8-11, 4-6) would get even with the Saints three more times in the second half, but did not take the lead until freshman
Caitlin Flood converted a three-point play with 3:25 left in regulation. Fellow freshman
Joann Nwafili subsequently stole the inbounds pass and put in a layup seconds later to give Manhattan a three-point lead, a lead it would not relinquish.
Sangar's 16 points led four Lady Jaspers in double figures, including Flood, who netted a career-high 12 points, Nwafili (11), and classmate
Aubrie Dellinger, who totaled 14 points and six rebounds.
The game marked the first time that three Manhattan freshmen had scored in double-figures since November 21, 2000, when
Rosalee Mason (10 points), Elana Greene (10) and Rebecca Tompkins (11) did the honor in an 84-60 win over Columbia.
Manhattan again outrebounded its opponent on the offensive glass, grabbing 14 offenisve caroms to Siena's 11. Meanwhile, the Lady J's converted 14-17 from the foul line, including seven of eight free throws in the final two minutes.
The Lady Jaspers return to the court on Thursday, February 3, when they will host Loyola at Draddy Gym. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.
