Manhattan-Canisius Game Notes
Game 10: Canisius Golden Griffins (4-6, 0-1 MAAC) at Manhattan Jaspers (1-8, 0-0 MAAC)
Sunday, December 29, 2013-2 p.m.
Riverdale, N.Y.-Draddy Gymnasium (2,520)
Video: JasperVision HD, MAAC.tv
Audio: www.gojaspers.com, www.gogriffs.com
JASPERS VS. GRIFFS
After opening the season with nine straight non-conference games, the Jaspers (1-8, 0-0 MAAC) open up their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) schedule this afternoon at Draddy Gymnasium against Canisius (4-6, 0-1 MAAC). Manhattan, which is looking to snap an eight-game losing streak, hasn't played since a 71-46 loss to rival Fordham last Saturday. The Griffs also lost on Saturday, dropping their MAAC opener, 65-55, to new conference member Quinnipiac. Manhattan hosts the other new MAAC team, Monmouth, on Tuesday.
ABOUT MANHATTAN
Manhattan (1-8, 0-0 MAAC) has been off since dropping a 71-46 decision to rival Fordham in its non-conference finale on Dec. 21. The Jaspers begin Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play looking to snap an eight-game skid. Senior guard Monica Roeder paces Manhattan in scoring with an average of 10.4 points per game. She's also third on the squad with 4.8 rebounds per contest and second on the team in assists (2.2 per outing). Junior guard Nicole Isaacs contributes 9.7 points per game while draining 2.7 three-pointers per outing. Sophomore forward Shayna Ericksen adds 8.6 points a night and ranks second on the squad with 4.9 rebounds per contest. Senior guard Allison Skrec, meanwhile, notches 7.1 points per game to go along with 5.8 assists a night, the third-highest total in the MAAC. The Jaspers conclude their three-game homestand on Tuesday afternoon, when they welcome new MAAC member Monmouth to Draddy Gymnasium.
ABOUT CANISIUS
After starting the season 3-1, Canisius (4-6, 0-1 MAAC) has dropped five of its last six, including a 65-55 loss to Quinnipiac in its Metro Atlantic Atheltic Conference (MAAC) opener on Dec. 21. Senior forward Jamie Ruttle, who's one point away from 1,000 for her career, paces Canisius in scoring with an average of 11.7 points per game. She also pulls down 4.7 rebounds per contest. Junior guard Kayla Hoohuli notches 8.8 points a night, while senior guard Jen Morabito contributes 8.3 points per outing. Morabito also leads the Griffs with 1.3 steals per contest. Sophomore guard Tiahana Mills adds 7.5 points per game to go along with team-leading totals of 4.8 boards and 4.1 assists a night. That quartet has started every game for Canisius this season. Sophomore forward Crystal Porter, meanwhile, grabs 4.6 rebounds per outing. The Griffs conclude thier two-game road trip with a visit to preseason MAAC favorite Marist on Tuesday afternoon.
SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan and Canisius split the season series in 2012-13, with each squad winning at home. The Jaspers posted a 54-51 victory at Draddy Gymnasium on Feb. 3, 2013, while the Griffs notched a 63-47 triumph in the rematch at the Koessler Athletic Center on Feb. 22, 2013. That loss snapped Manhattan's six-game winning streak in the series. The Jaspers have won four straight and six out of their last seven against Canisius in Riverdale. However, the Griffs hold the all-time edge, 29-23.
FORDHAM 71, MANHATTAN 46
Fordham led from start-to-finish in the annual “Battle of the Bronx,” notching a 71-46 victory over Manhattan at Draddy Gymnasium on Dec. 21. The Rams jumped out to a 9-0 cushion just 2:34 into the contest and led 16-6, but the Jaspers went on a 5-0 rally to cut its deficit to five, 16-11, midway through the first half. However, Fordham responded with an 8-0 rally to make it 24-11. Manhattan again pulled within six at 27-21 before Fordham ended the half on an 11-4 spurt to take a 38-25 advantage into the locker room. Fordham scored the first eight points of the second half and would lead by as many as 27 before Manhattan scored the final five points of the game to make the final margin 25 points, 71-46. Shayna Ericksen tallied a game-high 14 points and added five rebounds, while Monica Roeder notched 10 points and six boards.