Manhattan-Rider Game Notes
Game 21: Rider Broncs (9-11, 5-6 MAAC) at Manhattan Jaspers (5-15, 4-7 MAAC)
Saturday, February 1, 2014-2:00 p.m.
Riverdale, N.Y.-Draddy Gymnasium (2,520)
Video: JasperVision HD
Audio: www.gojaspers.com, www.gobroncs.com
JASPERS VS. BRONCS
The Jaspers (5-15, 4-7 MAAC) begin a three-game homestand by welcoming Rider (9-11, 5-6 MAAC) to Draddy Gymnasium on “Alumni Day.” Manhattan is happy to welcome back more than 20 former players for today's game. The Jaspers are looking for their second straight victory after snapping a three-game skid with a 62-55 triumph at Siena on Thursday night. The Broncs, meanwhile, are coming off a 65-55 loss at Marist on Wednesday. Manhattan posted a 50-47 victory over Rider when the teams met in New Jersey on Jan. 16.
ABOUT MANHATTAN
Manhattan (5-15, 4-7 MAAC) begins a three-game homestand looking to mount back-to-back wins for the second time this season. The Jaspers are coming off a 62-55 victory over Siena on Thursday night. Senior guard Monica Roeder paces the team offensively with an average of 12.1 points per game. She also notches 4.6 rebounds per contest and ranks second in the MAAC with 1.9 steals a night. Sophomore forward Shayna Ericksen adds 9.8 points and 6.0 points per outing to go along with 1.8 steals per contest. Ericksen also boasts a team-best .536 field goal percentage, the fourth-best mark in the MAAC. Senior guard Allison Skrec, meanwhile posts 9.0 points per game and ranks second in the league with 5.5 assists per contest. Junior guard Nicole Isaacs contributes 7.3 points a night and sinks 2.1 three-pointers per outing. Manhattan hosts Saint Peter's on Thursday night in its annual “Play 4 Kay” game for breast cancer awareness.
ABOUT RIDER
Rider (9-11, 5-6 MAAC) has alternated wins and losses since falling to the Jaspers on Jan. 16. The Broncs are coming off a 66-56 loss at Marist on Wednesday. Senior guard/forward MyNeshia McKenzie is averaging a double-double on the season. She ranks second in MAAC in both scoring (19.3 ppg) and rebounding (11.0 rpg) while also tallying 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals per outing. Sophomore guard Mikal Johnson adds 9.8 points per game and drains a team-best 1.7 three-pointers a night. Junior guard Lashay Banks, meanwhile, posts 8.8 points per contest. Junior forward/center Marritta Gillcrease is second in the MAAC with 1.7 blocks per game, and she also pulls down 6.0 rebounds per outing. In addition, sophomore guard Manon Pellet hands out a team-high 2.8 assists per game. Rider begins a two-game homestand on Thursday night with a matchup against first-place Iona that will be broadcast nationally on ESPN3.
SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan and Rider are meeting for the 38th time, with the Jaspers holding a 27-10 edge in the all-time series. The Jaspers notched a 50-47 triumph at the Alumni Recreation Center on Jan. 16, snapping the Broncs' two-game winning streak in the series. Last season at Draddy Gymnasium, Rider came away with a 48-41 victory on Jan. 6, 2013. That was the Broncs' first win in Riverdale since the 2008-09 campaign. Manhattan is 11-6 at home against Rider since the Broncs joined the MAAC in 1997-98.
MANHATTAN 62, SIENA 55
Playing in front of a national audience on ESPN3, the Jaspers snapped their three-game losing streak with a 62-55 victory over Siena at the Times Union Center on Thursday. Manhattan took the lead for good midway through the first half and extended its advantage to as many as 10 points before Siena ended the half on a 5-0 run to cut its deficit to 26-21 at halftime. The Jaspers pushed their advantage to a game-high 12 points at 59-47, with 1:05 left, and Manhattan sank 10 free throws down the stretch to ice a 62-55 victory. Manhattan outrebounded its opponent for the first time this season, grabbing 36 boards to the Saints' 34. Allison Skrec finished with a game-high 14 points to go along with five rebounds and five assists, while Kylla Champagne notched career-bests of 10 points and eight rebounds. Shayna Ericksen added 10 points and seven boards in the win.
WELCOME BACK
The Jaspers are celebrating “Alumni Day” this afternoon, as more than 20 former players from every era of the program's 36-year history are in attendance. At least one member of each of Manhattan's four MAAC championship teams, as well as both of the Jaspers' back-to-back Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI) semifinal squads are represented. Manhattan is also pleased to welcome back six 1,000-point scorers and three Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Famers, including program co-founder Lisa Toscano.
