Manhattan-Iona Game Notes
Game 14: Manhattan Jaspers (4-9, 1-1 MAAC) at Iona Gaels (7-6, 2-0 MAAC)
Thursday, January 10, 2013-12 p.m.
New Rochelle, N.Y.-Hynes Athletic Center (2,611)
Live Video: JasperVision, MAAC.tv
Live Audio: www.gojaspers.com, www.icgaels.com
ABOUT THE GAME
The Jaspers (4-9, 1-1 MAAC) make the short trip to New Rochelle for a Thursday matinee with Iona (7-6, 2-0 MAAC) at the Hynes Athletic Center. Manhattan is coming off a 48-41 loss to Rider on Sunday afternoon, while Iona is one of two MAAC teams with a 2-0 confernece record. The Gaels swept the Buffalo trip last weekend, knocking off Niagara 76-65 before posting a 68-54 triumph against Canisius. The Jaspers hit the road again on Sunday, when they take on Siena at the Times Union Center.
ABOUT THE JASPERS
Manhattan (4-9, 1-1 MAAC) has alternated wins and losses over its last seven games. The Jaspers dropped a 48-41 decision to Rider on Sunday afternoon. Junior guard Monica Roeder paces Manhattan in scoring with an average of 12.1 points per game. Roeder is also tied for the MAAC lead in three-pointers, draining 2.2 per contest. Freshman forward Shayna Ericksen has recorded double-doubles in each of her last two games. She ranks second on the team in scoring (9.7 ppg), while also leading the Jaspers in rebounding (7.6 rpg), steals (2.2 spg) and blocks (1.1 bpg). Senior forward Toni-Ann Lawrence contributes 8.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per outing and leads the squad in shooting percentage (.469), while junior guard Allison Skrec hands out a team-best 4.5 assists per contest. The Jaspers are back on the road for the fourth time in five games (and fifth time in their last seven contests) on Sunday, when they visit Siena.
ABOUT THE GAELS
Iona (7-6, 2-0 MAAC) opened its MAAC schedule by defeating Niagara and Canisius last weekend. The Gaels have won four of their last five and five of their last seven, including a 68-54 victory over Canisius on Sunday. Sophomore guard Damika Martinez, last season's MAAC Rookie of the Year, leads the league in scoring. She tallies 17.8 points per game. Freshman forward Joy Adams has been named MAAC Rookie of the Week six times this season and is averaging nearly a double-double. She records 12.5 points and a league-leading 9.8 rebounds per game. Adams is also second in the MAAC with a .493 field goal percentage. Freshman forward Cassidee Ranger leads the MAAC in three-point percentage (.548), while junior center Sabrina Jeridore records a league-best 3.2 blocks per contest and senior guard Haley D'Angelo's 1.6 assist/turnover ratio is the best in the conference. D'Angelo also paces the Gaels with 3.2 assists per outing.
SERIES HISTORY
The Jaspers and Gaels have played at least once each season since 1979-80. This is the 67th all-time meeting between the rivals, and Manhattan leads the series 44-22. The teams split the season series in 2011-12, with each squad winning at home. Iona posted a 65-60 victory at the Hynes Athletic Center on Jan. 15, 2012, before the Jaspers rebounded for a 59-54 triumph in Riverdale on Feb. 15, 2012. Manhattan has won four of its last five games against Iona.
LAST GAME--Rider 48, Manhattan 41
Manhattan dropped a defensive struggle, 48-41, to Rider at Draddy Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon. Rider jumped out to an early 11-4 lead, but the Jaspers responded with a 9-2 spurt, tying the game at 13-13 on a three-pointer by Monica Roeder with 4:52 left in the first half. However, Rider closed out the first half on an 11-3 run and took a 24-16 advantage into the locker room. With the Broncs leading 32-26 midway through the second half, Rider went on a 9-2 rally to extend the margin to a game-high 13 points, 41-28, with 7:07 remaining. Manhattan got four straight points from Katie Reese to trim its deficit to six, but would get no closer, as Rider held on for a 48-41 victory. Shayna Ericksen had her second straight double-double for the Jaspers, notching 10 points and 10 rebounds. Roeder finished with nine points, while Toni-Ann Lawrence grabbed eight rebounds.
