Manhattan-Iona Game Notes
Game 23: Iona Gaels (19-3, 12-1 MAAC) at Manhattan Jaspers (6-16, 5-8 MAAC)
Saturday, February 8, 2014-2:00 p.m.
Riverdale, N.Y.-Draddy Gymnasium (2,520)
Video: JasperVision HD
Audio: www.gojaspers.com, www.icgaels.com
JASPERS VS. GAELS
Manhattan (6-16, 5-8 MAAC) concludes its three-game homestand this afternoon by welcoming Iona (19-3, 12-1 MAAC) to Draddy Gymnasium. The Jaspers have won two of their last three games, inlcuding a 58-31 victory over Saint Peter's on Thursday night. It was Manhattan's largest margin of victory since 2011-12, and the Peacocks' 31 points were the fewest by an opponent in Riverdale since 1994-95. Iona, meanwhile, saw its 18-game winning streak (the fourth-longest in the nation) snapped with a 92-90 overtime loss at Rider on Thursday.
ABOUT MANHATTAN
The Jaspers (6-16, 5-8 MAAC) are looking for their second straight win after posting a 58-31 victory over Saint Peter's on Thursday night. Senior guard Monica Roeder paces Manhattan wtih 12.1 points per game. She also tallies 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest. In addition, Roeder ranks second in the MAAC in steals, notching 1.9 per outing. Sophomore forward Shayna Ericksen adds 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per contest, and she ranks fourth in the league in field goal percentage (.530). Senior guard Allison Skrec distributes 5.6 assists per game, the second-highest mark in the MAAC, to go along with 9.0 points a night. Junior guard Nicole Isaacs, meanwhile, pours in 7.2 points per contest and drains a team-leading 2.0 three-pointers per game. After playing three straight at home, Manhattan plays four of its next five on the road. The Jaspers begin a three-game road trip with a visit to Canisius on Thursday night.
ABOUT IONA
Iona (19-3, 12-1 MAAC) had its program-record 18-game winning streak, the fourth-longest in the nation, snapped with a 92-90 overtime loss at Rider on Thursday. Junior guard Damika Martinez leads the MAAC and ranks sixth nationally in scoring with an average of 24.6 points per game. Martinez is also second in the nation in three-pointers, sinking 3.4 per contest. Sophomore forward Joy Adams, meanwhile, leads the NCAA with 20 double-doubles this season. Her 18.5 points per game are third-best in the MAAC, and her conference-leading 14.1 rebounds per outing represent the third-best mark in the country. Senior guard Haley D'Angelo hands out 5.0 assists per game, and she boasts the No. 4 assist/turnover ratio in the nation (3.30). Senior center Sabrina Jeridore is the MAAC leader in blocks (3.4). Five of the Gaels' six remaining regular season games are at home, starting with a matchup against Monmouth on Friday.
SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan and Iona have met 69 times previously, with the Jaspers leading the all-time series 44-25. The Gaels, however, have won three straight against Manhattan, including a 70-52 triumph at the Hynes Athletic Center on Jan. 20. The last time the squads met at Draddy Gymnasium, Iona came away with a 71-64 win on Feb. 28, 2013. Manhattan, which had won four of the previous five meetings prior to last season, notched a 59-54 triumph over the Gaels in Riverdale on Feb. 15, 2012.
MANHATTAN 58, SAINT PETER'S 31
Manhattan led wire-to-wire on Thursday night, cruising past Saint Peter's 58-31 in the annual “Play 4 Kay” game at Draddy Gymnasium. The Jaspers scored the first seven points of the contest and made 11 of their first 15 shots to open up a 21-4 lead. Manhattan held a 33-12 advantage at halftime. Saint Peter's pulled within 15 points at 43-28 with 10:55 remaining, but that would end up being the Peacocks' final field goal of the contest. Manhattan outscored Saint Peter's 15-3 the rest of the way to seal a 27-point victory, 58-41. The 31 points were the fewest by a visitor to Draddy Gymnasium since 1994. Monica Roeder had 12 points to lead the Jaspers, while Ashley Stec added 11 points and seven rebounds. Allison Skrec contributed 10 points and eight assists, and Blake Underhill distributed a career-high six assists.