Game 13: Iona Gaels (4-8, 0-1 MAAC) at Manhattan Lady Jaspers (6-6, 1-0 MAAC)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010-7 p.m.
Riverdale, N.Y.-Draddy Gymnasium (2,345)
TV: None
Radio/Internet: JasperVision (gojaspers.com), icgaels.com
TONIGHT'S GAME
The Lady Jaspers (6-6, 1-0 MAAC) look to extend their two-game winning streak tonight, as they conclude a five-game homestand against longtime rival Iona (4-8, 0-1 MAAC). It will be the 60th all-time meeting between the schools. Manhattan opened Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play with a 56-44 victory over Rider on Sunday afternoon, while the Gaels fell to Loyola, 71-59, in their MAAC opener. Iona has lost four out of five and seven of its last nine games.
ABOUT MANHATTAN
Manhattan wraps up its season-long five-game homestand looking to improve to 2-0 in MAAC play for the second time in three seasons. The Lady Jaspers are coming off a 56-44 victory over Rider on Sunday afternoon and have won consecutive games for the first time this season. Senior guard Michelle Pacheco had 21 points against Rider, her third 20-point effort in the last four games. She leads the Lady Jaspers in scoring (16.3 ppg) and paces the MAAC with 6.0 assists per game. Pacheco also ranks fourth in the league in steals (1.8 spg). Sophomore forward Lindsey Loutsenhizer averages 12.6 points and a team-leading 6.5 rebounds per game, while sophomore guard Alyssa Herrington averages 11.0 points and a MAAC-leading 2.7 three-pointers per game. Junior guard Abby Wentworth contributes 10.2 points per game, and sophomore forward Nadia Peters ranks second in the MAAC in both field goal percentage (.574) and blocks (1.8 bpg).
ABOUT IONA
Iona, which was picked second in the MAAC Preseason Poll, lost 71-59 to Loyola in its MAAC opener. The Gaels have dropped four out of five overall. Senior center Anna McLean, who missed the entire 2008-09 season due to injury, ranks third in the MAAC in rebounding (9.3 rpg). She is also the only active Iona player averaging double-figures in scoring (senior guard Thazina Cook, the Gaels' leading scorer with 13.4 points per game, is currently out with an injury). McLean averages 12.1 points per game. Junior guard Suzi Fregosi ranks second in the MAAC in both assists (5.1 apg) and assist/turnover ratio (2.3). She is also fifth in the MAAC with 2.6 steals per game. Freshman guard Diana Hubbard averages 7.7 points per game and ranks third in the MAAC with a three-point percentage of .452. Sophomore forward Kristina Ford, last season's MAAC Rookie of the Year, averages 5.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
MANHATTAN VS IONA ALL-TIME
Tonight's game is the 60th all-time meeting between longtime rivals Manhattan and Iona. The sides split the two meetings last season, with the Lady Jaspers posting a 57-56 win in New Rochelle before the Gaels returned the favor with a 72-65 victory at Draddy Gymnasium. Overall, Manhattan leads the series 40-19.
MANHATTAN 56, RIDER 44
An 11-day layoff didn't seem to phase the Lady Jaspers in their MAAC opener on Sunday afternoon, as they used a 13-2 run to open the second half en route to a 56-44 victory over Rider at Draddy Gymnasium. Manhattan led 27-24 at halftime, then scored the first six points of the second half. The Lady Jaspers kept rolling following a Rider timeout, increasing their lead to 14 points with 13:45 remaining. After the Broncs pulled within nine at 45-36, the Lady Jaspers responded with an 11-1 run over the next six minutes to open up their largest lead of the game, 56-37 with 2:42 left. Michelle Pacheco posted a game-high 21 points, her third 20-point game in the last four outings, while Lindsey Loutsenhizer tallied 13 points off the bench. Schyanne Halfkenny grabbed a career-high seven rebounds to pace the Lady Jaspers.