Manhattan-Fordham Game Notes
Game 9: Fordham Rams (8-2) at Manhattan Jaspers (1-7)
Saturday, December 21, 2013-7 p.m.
Riverdale, N.Y.-Draddy Gymnasium (2,520)
Video: JasperVision HD
Audio: www.gojaspers.com, www.wfuv.com
JASPERS VS. RAMS
Manhattan (1-7) concludes its non-conference schedule by hosting rival Fordham (8-2) in the annual “Battle of the Bronx” tonight at Draddy Gymnasium. The Jaspers, who are looking to snap a seven-game skid, dropped an 85-64 decision at VCU on Wednesday. Fordham, meanwhile, has won seven straight, including a 57-32 triumph over Illinois State on Sunday. This is the beginning of a span where Manhattan will play five out of six at home. After a week-long Christmas break, the Jaspers open conference play against Canisius on Dec. 29.
ABOUT MANHATTAN
The Jaspers (1-7) begin a three-game homestand looking to snap a seven-game skid. Manhattan, which plays five of its next six games at Draddy Gymnasium, is coming off an 85-64 loss to VCU on Wednesday. Junior guard Nicole Isaacs paces Manhattan in scoring with an average of 10.9 points per game. She also drains a team-high 3.0 three-pointers per contest. Senior guard Monica Roeder, who tallies 10.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per outing, became the third player in program history to sink 200 career three-pointers against VCU. Freshman center Kayla Grimme grabs a team-best 7.1 rebounds a night to go along with 9.9 points per game. Sophomore forward Shayna Ericksen contributes 7.9 points and 4.9 boards per contest, while senior guard Allison Skrec notches 6.9 points per outing. She also leads the Jaspers in assists, handing out 5.8 a night. This is the final non-conference game of the season for the Jaspers, who open their MAAC schedule by hosting Canisius on Dec. 29.
ABOUT FORDHAM
Fordham (8-2) is enjoying one of the best starts in program history and enters tonight's matchup looking for its eighth straight win. The Rams are coming off a 57-32 victory over Illinois State on Sunday afternoon. Senior guard Erin Rooney paces Fordham in both scoring and rebounding. She averages 21.5 points and 8.5 boards per game, while also dishing out 3.1 assists a night. Senior guard Abigail Corning is the team leader in assists (5.3 apg) and ranks second on the squad in both scoring (12.5 ppg) and rebounding (6.8 rpg). Freshman guard Hannah Missry, meanwhile, notches 10.7 points per game and sinks 2.8 three-pointers per contest. Sophomore forward Samantha Clark registers 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per outing, while junior forward Emily Tapio contributes 7.2 points, 4.8 boards and 2.3 assists a night. That quintent has started all 10 games for the Rams this season. Fordham concludes non-conference play by hosting its annual Christmas Tournament on Dec. 29-30.
SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan has faced Fordham at least once every season since women's basketball became a varsity sport in 1978-79. This is the 45th all-time meeting between the rivals, with Manhattan holding a 24-20 edge in the series. The Rams, however, have won the last two, including a 55-45 triumph at Rose Hill Gym on Nov. 28, 2012. Two years ago at Draddy Gymnasium, Fordham posted a 59-49 victory.
VCU 85, MANHATTAN 64
Despite a career-high 24 points from Shayna Ericksen, the Jaspers suffered an 85-64 defeat at VCU on Wednesday. VCU took an early 8-3 lead before Ericksen scored six straight points to put Manhattan ahead 9-8. The Jaspers then used the three-ball to open up a 12-point advantage, 27-15, with 9:00 left in the first half. However, VCU responded with a 13-2 run to pull within one, 29-28. The Jaspers pushed their lead back to five at 33-28, but the Rams ended the half on a 12-0 spurt to take a 40-33 advantage into the locker room. After the Jaspers pulled within four early in the second half, the Rams went on an 8-0 spurt to make the margin double-digits, where it would remain in the 85-64 VCU victory. Ericksen had eight rebounds to go along with her 24 points, while Nicole Isaacs tallied 14 points and Blake Underhill chipped in a career-high 12 points.
