Manhattan-Iona Game Notes
GAME #12: Manhattan Jaspers (5-6, 2-0 MAAC) at Iona Gaels (6-7, 2-0 MAAC)
Saturday, January 2, 2016-2:00 p.m.
New Rochelle, NY-Hynes Athletic Center (2,611)
Video: Jasper Sports Network
Live Audio
Live Stats
JASPERS GAMEDAY
After a season-long 12-day break, the Jaspers (5-6, 2-0 MAAC) begin 2016 by resuming their MAAC schedule with a matchup at Iona (6-7, 2-0 MAAC). In its last outing, Manhattan suffered a 52-48 loss at American on Dec. 20. The Gaels, meanwhile, have won three of their last four and five out of seven, including a 56-50 triumph over East Tennessee State on Tuesday afternoon. This is the second of four consecutive road games for the Jaspers, who are in the midst of a span where they play six out of seven away from home. The Jaspers and Gaels are tied for first place in the MAAC after both winning their two December conference games.
MANHATTAN BREAKDOWN
Manhattan (5-6, 2-0 MAAC) resumes its MAAC schedule with its first contest of 2016. The Jaspers are currently tied for first place in the MAAC after winning their first two conference games in early December. Manhattan has had 12 days off, its longest break of the season, since a 52-48 loss at American on Dec. 20. Sophomore guard Amani Tatum leads the Jaspers in scoring, averaging 12.5 points per game. She also ranks second in the league with 2.9 steals per contest. Sophomore center Kayla Grimme tallies 8.0 points per outing to go along with 8.5 rebounds a night, the fourth-highest mark in the MAAC, and a conference-leading 3.0 blocks per game. Sophomore guard Taylor Williams tallies 7.5 points per contest, while sophomore guard Nyasha Irizarry contributes 7.1 points per outing. This is the second of four straight road games for the Jaspers, who get another five days off before returning to action at Fairfield on Friday.
IONA BREAKDOWN
Iona (6-7, 2-0 MAAC) won three of its last four non-conference games, including a 56-50 victory over East Tennessee State on Tuesday afternoon. Senior forward Joy Adams, the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year, is averaging a double-double this season. She tallies 13.1 points and a conference-high 11.0 rebounds per game. Earlier this season, Adams became the MAAC's all-time leader in rebounds, passing Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Famer Rosalee Mason. Junior guard Marina Lizarazu notches 12.8 points per contest, and she ranks fourth in the MAAC in both assists (4.0 apg) and steals (2.2 spg). Senior guard Aaliyah Robinson adds 9.3 points per outing, and she drains 2.6 three-pointers a night. Senior forward Karynda DuPree, meanwhile, is second in the MAAC with 2.3 blocks per game. The Gaels head to Saint Peter's on Monday night before hosting Marist in a game that will be broadcast on ESPN3 on Thursday.
ALL-TIME SERIES
The Jaspers were swept by the Gaels last season and have dropped six straight against Iona. Iona notched a 79-62 victory at Draddy Gymnasium on Jan. 9, 2015, the posted a 60-41 win in New Rochelle on Feb. 5, 2015. Manhattan's last win over Iona was a 59-54 triumph in Riverdale on Feb. 15, 2012, and the Jaspers haven't won at the Hynes Center since a 57-51 victory on Feb. 27, 2011. This is the 73rd all-time meeting between the schools, and Manhattan leads the series 44-28.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Trailing by eight after three quarters, Manhattan rallied within two before Maria Liddane hit a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left to give American a 52-48 victory over the Jaspers on Dec. 20. Amani Tatum scored Manhattan's first nine points of the final quarter, as the Jaspers trimmed a 38-30 deficit to four, 43-39, with 5:16 remaining. American led 50-44 with 24 seconds remaining when the Jaspers got layups from Nyasha Irizarry and Crystal Ross to make it a two-point game. However, the Jaspers were unable to complete the comeback. Manhattan trailed 11-9 after one quarter and 25-20 at halftime, and American's advantage reached a game-high nine points in the third quarter. Tatum matched her career-high with 18 points, while Kayla Grimme finished with eight points and eight rebounds.