Niagara University, NY (February 27, 2005)- Manhattan again rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half, but could not take the lead, dropping a hard-fought, 60-56 decision to Niagara this afternoon at the Gallagher Center. Freshman
Caitlin Flood tied her career high with 22 points, including 13 in the second half, while senior
Serra Sangar added 14 points.
Niagara (16-11, 11-7 MAAC) used a 17-6 run to open the second half to build a 45-31 lead with 13:14 remaining. Niagara led by double-digits until Manhattan cut the lead to 52-44 on a three-ball from Flood with 5:58 remaining. Manhattan then got within six twice, closing to within 55-49 on a three-pointer by freshman
Lisa Kuchinski with four minutes remaining in regulation. A jumper by Flood cut the deficit to three points (56-53) at the 2:27 mark, while Manhattan closed to within a points (57-56) on a turnaround jumper by Sangar with 47.1 seconds left in regulation. After Niagara made one of two free throws down the stretch, Manhattan's three-pointer to take the lead came up short, and Niagara sank both of its free throws on the next possession to seal the victory.
The Lady Jaspers (10-17, 6-12 MAAC) jumped out to an 11-4 lead to begin the game, behind five points from Flood during that span. However, Niagara responded with a 12-0 run over the next six minutes and opened up a 16-11 advantage with 10:30 remaining in the half. The Lady Jaspers regained the lead by scoring the next six points, gaining a 17-16 advantage with 7:55 left, before Niagara tied the game on a free throw. The game remained tied at 20, before Eva Cunningham hit consecutive three-pointers to give the Purple Eagles a 26-20 lead. Niagara had taken a 28-22 lead with 1:15 remaining, but Dellinger drained a three-pointer from the corner as time expired in the first half to cut Niagara's halftime lead to 28-25.
Freshman
Aubrie Dellinger finished with 11 points for Manhattan, while Cunningham had 20 points and five assists to lead Niagara.
Manhattan also recorded 18 assists on its 21 field goals during the contest.
Manhattan will be the #8 seed in the upcoming MAAC Tournament, and will play #7 St. Peter's on Thursday at 2:00 p.m.
