Riverdale, NY (February 3, 2005)- In a game in which Manhattan never trailed and shot a season-high 63.6% from three-point range, the Lady Jaspers defeated Loyola 55-49 tonight at Draddy Gym. Freshmen
Gabrielle Cottrell and
Joann Nwafili had 11 points each while senior
Serra Sangar added 10 points and eight rebounds for Manhattan, which has won two in a row.
Manhattan (9-11, 5-6 MAAC) jumped out to a 24-8 lead at the outset, hitting on nine of its first 14 shots, including five of six from downtown. The Lady Jaspers cooled off slightly as the half proceeded, but ultimately shot 48% from the field in the first half, and held Loyola to 26.9% (7-26) in the stanza. Cottrell scored eight of her 11 in the half, while Nwafili chipped in with seven of her 11, as Manhattan entered intermission leading 30-19.
After Loyola (7-13, 6-5 MAAC) cut the lead to seven early in the second half, the Lady Jaspers came out firing again, increasing their lead to 46-31 with 8:06 remaining on a long ball by Cottrell, who was 3-3 from beyond the arc tonight. After a Sangar jumper gave Manhattan a 52-36 lead with 3:03 left, Loyola went on a 13-3 run to end the game, but a three-pointer by sophomore
Kristen Tracey with 1:37 left held the Greyhounds at bay and enabled Manhattan to secure the victory.
Katie Scherle had 20 points for Loyola to lead all scorers, while Krystle Harrington added nine points, six assists and four steals.
The Lady Jaspers outrebounded its opponent for the third consecutive game, grabbing 34 rebounds to Loyola's 31 caroms.
Manhattan will return to action on Sunday, February 6, when they will travel to New Rochelle to take on Iona. Game time is 2:00 p.m.
