Manhattan-Fairleigh Dickinson Game Notes
Game 1: Manhattan Jaspers (0-0) at Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (0-0)
Sunday, November 10, 2013-7 p.m.
Hackensack, N.J.-Stratis Arena (3,000)
Video: NEC Front Row
Audio: www.gojaspers.com, www.fduknights.com
JASPERS VS. KNIGHTS
Looking to rebound after a disappointing 8-23 campaign last season, Manhattan (0-0) opens its 2013-14 season tonight against Fairleigh Dickinson (0-0) at Stratis Arena Inside the Rothman Center. This marks the fifth time in seven years that Manhattan is opening the season on the road. The Jaspers were picked to finish 10th in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Preseason Poll. The Knights, who are coming off a 12-17 season, were picked to finish ninth in the Northeast Conference.
ABOUT MANHATTAN
The Jaspers (0-0), who finished 8-23 in 2012-13, return four starters from last year's squad. Senior guard Monica Roeder was a Preseason Second Team All-MAAC selection. She led Manhattan in scoring last season, averaging 12.1 points per game, and scored her 1,000th career point during the 2013 MAAC Tournament. Roeder also ranked third in the MAAC with 2.0 three-pointers per contest and shot .332 from long range last season. Senior guard Allison Skrec tallied 8.7 points per game last season while also leading the MAAC with 5.0 assists per contest. Sophomore forward Shayna Ericksen was a MAAC All-Rookie Team selection in 2012-13. She recorded 6.0 rebounds per game last year, the most among returning players. Junior forward Ashley Stec notched 5.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals per outing last season. This is the first of three straight road games to begin the season for the Jaspers, who were picked 10th in the MAAC Preseason Poll.
ABOUT FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON
Fairleigh Dickinson (0-0) posted a 12-17 record last season and was picked to finish 10th in the Northeast Conference Preseason Poll. The Knights return three starters from that team, including junior center Erika Livermore, who averaged a double-double in 2012-13. Livermore tallied 15.8 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, and was named First Team All-NEC. Senior forward Desiree Crawford started 27 games last season and finished second on the squad in rebounding, pulling down 6.0 boards per contest. Fairleigh Dickinson's third returning starter is junior guard Amanda Andrades. Andrades led the Knights in minutes played (33.3 mpg) and ranked fourth in the NEC with 4.4 assists per game last season. She also contributed 4.0 points per game. Sophomore guard Kelsey Cruz ranked second in scoring among returning players last season, averaging 5.1 points per outing. The Knights posted a 92-81 exhibition win over FDU Florham on Dec. 1.
SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan and Fairleigh Dickinson are meeting for the second straight season and the 18th time overall. The Jaspers hold an 11-6 edge in the all-time series, but the Knights have won the last two meetings between the squads, including a 53-47 triumph at Draddy Gymnasium last season. The last time the teams met at the Stratis Center, Fairleigh Dickinson posted a 60-59 overtime victory on Dec. 15, 2007.
OPENING STATEMENT
The Jaspers are looking to snap a two-game losing streak in season openers. Last season, Manhattan dropped a 63-60 overtime decision to Towson in its opening game. Manhattan is opening the season against Fairleigh Dickinson for the fifth time. The Jaspers began the season against the Knights four times in six years from 1991-92 to 1996-97, going 2-2 in those games. Overall, Manhattan is 18-17 all-time in season openers.
