Manhattan-Monmouth Game Notes
Game 19: Manhattan Jaspers (4-14, 3-6 MAAC) at Monmouth Hawks (4-16, 3-6 MAAC)
Sunday, January 26, 2014-2:00 p.m.
West Long Branch, N.J.-Multipurpose Activity Center (4,100)
Video: MAAC.tv, Hawk Vision
Audio: www.gomuhawks.com
JASPERS VS. HAWKS
The Jaspers (4-14, 3-6 MAAC) reach the midpoint of their 2013-14 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) schedule this afternoon with a visit to the Multipurpose Activity Center for a matchup with Monmouth (4-16, 3-6 MAAC). Manhattan won the first meeting between these two, 65-59, at Draddy Gymnasium on Dec. 31. The Jaspers have dropped six of seven since that game, including a 71-67 overtime loss to Niagara on Thursday night. The Hawks are looking to snap a three-game skid and are coming off an 86-77 loss to Iona on Friday night.
ABOUT MANHATTAN
Manhattan (4-14, 3-6 MAAC), which suffered a 71-67 overtime loss to Niagara on Thursday night, is looking to snap a two-game skid. The Jaspers have dropped six of their last seven contests. Senior guard Monica Roeder paces the Jaspers in scoring with an average of 12.1 points per game. She also records 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest. Sophomore forward Shayna Ericksen contributes 9.9 points and 6.1 boards per outing to go along with a team-best 1.9 steals a night. In addition, Ericksen ranks fifth in the MAAC in field goal percentage (.526). Senior guard Allison Skrec, meanwhile, notches 8.4 points per game to go along with 5.3 assists per contest. Junior guard Nicole Isaacs adds 7.6 points per outing and drains a team-high 2.2 three-pointers a night. The Jaspers conclude a span where the played five of six games on the road on Thursday night, when they visit Siena in a contest that will be broadcast nationally on ESPN3.
ABOUT MONMOUTH
Monmouth (4-16, 3-6 MAAC) has dropped three straight games, including an 86-77 loss to first-place Iona on Friday night. Senior guard/forward Chevannah Paalvast is the only Hawk averaging double-figures in the scoring column. She registers 12.7 points per game. Paalvast also leads Monmouth in assists (2.2 apg), steals (1.3 spg) and blocks (0.9 bpg), and she ranks second on the squad with 5.2 rebounds per contest. Sophomore guard Jasmine Walker is the Hawks' leading rebounder with an average of 5.3 boards per outing. She also tallies 7.5 points per game, the second-highest total on the team, and is shooting a team-best .342 from three-point range. Sophomore guard Kasey Chambers adds 5.8 points and 1.6 assists a night, while senior forward Shira Shecht notches 5.7 points per outing. As a team, Monmouth averages just 56.2 points per game. The Hawks return to action on Thursday night, when they visit Saint Peter's.
SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan won the first meeting of the season, 65-59 at Draddy Gymnasium on Dec. 31. With that victory, the Jaspers improved to 9-6 all-time against the Hawks. This is the first time the Jaspers are visiting Monmouth for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) game, but the teams met at the Multipurpose Activity Center last season in non-conference action. Monmouth picked up a 58-43 victory in that contest on Dec. 28, 2012.
NIAGARA 71, MANHATTAN 67 (OT)
The Jaspers fell in overtime, 71-67 to Niagara, at Draddy Gymnasium on Thursday night. Manhattan was down by three with 27 seconds left and the ball, but Monica Roeder's trey was just off the mark and Niagara's Chanel Johnson grabbed the rebound and was fouled immediately. She then hit a free throw to ice the victory for the Purple Eagles. After Manhattan had a 36-32 advantage at the break, Niagara built a lead of as many as 13 points in the second half. However, the Jaspers battled all the way back, tying the score at 63-63 on a Shayna Ericksen jumper with 1:08 remaining. Manhattan had a chance to win in regulation, but Ericksen's shot was off the mark and the contest went into an extra session. Ericksen finished with a game-high 17 points and six rebounds, while Roeder tallied 15 points and Ashley Stec added 12 points.