Manhattan-Holy Cross Game Notes
GAME #2: MANHATTAN JASPERS (0-1) AT HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS (0-0)
Sunday, November 16, 2014-2 p.m.
Worcester, Mass.-Hart Center (3,600)
Video: Patriot League Network
Audio: www.goholycross.com
GAME INFORMATION
After opening the season with a 73-54 loss to Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday night, Manhattan (0-1) plays its first road game of 2014-15 this afternoon against Holy Cross (0-0) at the Hart Center. The Crusaders, who went 20-12 and reached the Patriot League Championship Game last season, tied for third in the Patriot League Preseason Poll. This is the first game in a stretch where the Jaspers play six out of seven away from home. Up next, Manhattan plays its only home contest in that span, when Patriot League preseason favorite Army (0-1) comes to Draddy Gymnasium on Saturday.
THE JASPERS
The Jaspers (0-1), who were picked seventh in the MAAC Preseason Poll, are looking for their first win of the 2014-15 season after dropping a 73-54 decision to Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday night. Junior guard Maeve Parahus drained five three-pointers and finished with a career-high 16 points to lead the Jaspers against Fairleigh Dickinson. Junior forward Shayna Ericksen, a Preseason Third team All-MAAC selection, recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, while, Junior guard Jacqui Thompson, a transfer from Wagner, tallied six points and seven assists in her Manhattan debut. Freshmen guards Nyasha Irizarry and Taylor Williams both got the start in their collegiate debuts against Fairleigh Dickinson. Irizarry contributed nine points and four rebounds, while Williams had three boards and two assists. Manhattan welcomes Army (0-1) to Draddy Gymnasium on Saturday for its only home contest in a seven-game span.
THE CRUSADERS
This afternoon's matchup is the season opener for Holy Cross (0-0), which went 20-12 and reached the championship game of the Patriot League Tournament last season. The Crusaders beat Assumption, 59-47, in an exhibition game on Nov. 5. Junior forward Raquel Scott was named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team. She was selected to the All-Patriot League Second Team after averaging nearly a double-double last season, tallying 16.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Scott also recorded 2.9 assists per contest and shot .494 from the floor last season. Senior forward Emily Parker notched 10.3 points and 6.0 boards per outing in 2013-14, while junior guard Lisa Mifsud contributed 10.1 points and 3.2 asissts a night last year. Junior center Molly Hourigan, meanwhile, blocked 2.4 shots per contest in 2013-14. The Crusaders begin a string of seven straight contests away from home by visiting Yale (0-1) on Tuesday night.
MANHATTAN VS. HOLY CROSS ALL-TIME
This is the 21st meeting in an all-time series that Holy Cross leads 12-8. The Jaspers and Crusaders squared off at Draddy Gymnasium in each of the last two seasons, with Holy Cross winning both games, including a 74-58 triumph on Dec. 1, 2013. The last time the squads met at the Hart Center, Manhattan notched a 78-63 victory on March 18, 2012 in the quarterfinals of the Women's Basketball Invitational.
LAST GAME
Manhattan opened the season with a 73-54 loss to Fairleigh Dickinson at Draddy Gymnasium on Friday night. The Jaspers led 27-18 with 2:31 remaining in the first half, but the Knights ended the half on a 6-0 run to cut its deficit to three, 27-24, at intermission. Fairleigh Dickinson went in front early in the second half and opened up a 10-point advantage before Manhatan scored six straight points to get back within four, 54-50. However, the Knights drained three-pointers on each of their next two possessions to regain a 10-point advantage, then ended the game on an 11-2 run to pull away for a 73-54 victory. Maeve Parahus sank five treys and led the Jaspers with a career-high 16 points. Shayna Ericksen, meanwhile, recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.