Manhattan-Niagara Game Notes
GAME #26: Manhattan Jaspers (12-13, 9-7 MAAC) at Niagara Purple Eagles (6-20, 4-13 MAAC)
Sunday, February 21, 2016-2:00 p.m.
Niagara University, NY-Gallagher Center (2,100)
Video: Purple Eagles Network
Live Stats
JASPERS GAMEDAY
The Jaspers (12-13, 9-7 MAAC) conclude their annual Western New York swing with a matchup against Niagara (6-20, 4-13 MAAC) at the Gallagher Center. Manhattan, which currently sits fifth in the MAAC, is coming off a 70-68 loss at Canisius on Friday night. The Purple Eagles, meanwhile, have dropped nine straight, including a 68-55 defeat against Monmouth on Friday night. When the Jaspers and Purple Eagles met in Riverdale on Dec. 4, Manhattan notched an 80-62 victory. This is the second of five games in 10 days to conclude the regular season for the Jaspers, who welcome first-place Quinnipiac to Draddy Gymnasium on Tuesday.
MANHATTAN BREAKDOWN
Manhattan (12-13, 9-7 MAAC) is one win away from notching double-digit conference victories for the first time since the 2011-12 season. The Jaspers suffered a 70-68 loss at Canisius on Friday night. Sophomore guard Amani Tatum paces the squad in scoring with an average of 11.9 points per game. She also leads the MAAC with 3.3 steals per contest and distributes 3.2 assists per outing. Sophomore center Kayla Grimme tallies 7.5 points and a team-high 7.8 rebounds a night, the sixth-highest total in the conference. She also ranks second in the MAAC with 2.4 blocks per game. Senior guard Blake Underhill, meanwhile, is fifth in the league in both assists and steals. Underhill notches 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals per contest to go along with 6.5 points per outing. Manhattan continues its string of five games in 10 days to conclude the regular season by hosting Quinnipiac on Tuesday in a matchup that will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
NIAGARA BREAKDOWN
Niagara (6-20, 4-13 MAAC) is looking to halt a nine-game skid. On Friday night, the Purple Eagles suffered a 68-55 loss against Monmouth. Senior center Sam Lapszynski is Niagara's top scorer and rebounder. She ranks fifth in the MAAC in scoring (12.6 ppg) and fourth in the league in rebouding (8.7 rpg). Lapszynski is also fifth in the conference with 1.8 blocks per contest. Sophomore forward Kaylee Stroemple, who averages a league-leading 36.4 minutes per outing, notches 11.6 points and 6.8 rebounds a night while also tallying 3.0 assists per game. Senior guard Taylor McKay registers 10.1 points per game, and she leads the team with 1.6 steals per contest. Sophomore guard Jamie Sherburne, meanwhile, is fourth in the MAAC with 4.2 assists per outing. This is the final home game of the season for the Purple Eagles, who visit Canisius on Thursday before concluding the regular season at Siena.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Manhattan snapped a three-game losing streak against Niagara with an 80-62 victory at Draddy Gymnasium on Dec. 4. The Jaspers haven't swept the season series with the Purple Eagles since the 2010-11 campaign. Last season at the Gallagher Center, the Purple Eagles notched a 64-36 triumph on Dec. 7, 2014. This is the 56th all-time meeting between the schools, and the Jaspers are looking to even the series at 28-28.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Down by two with 9.1 seconds left, Manhattan held for a final shot at Canisius on Friday night. However, the attempt was off the mark, and the Jaspers suffered a 70-68 defeat against the Griffs at the Koessler Athletic Center. Canisius led 69-66 at the 17-second mark when Crystal Ross was fouled and drained both free throws to make it a one-point game. The Griffs' Lauren D'Hont then went 1-for-2 at the line on the other end, giving Manhattan one last chance to tie it, but the Jaspers' last-second shot was short. Neither team held a lead of more than six points in the game. Canisius led 18-17 after one and Manhattan held a 33-30 halftime advantage, before the Griffs built a 53-50 cushion entering the final period. Amani Tatum led the Jaspers with 18 points, while Maeve Parahus sank five three-pointers and finished with a career-high 17 points.