Game Notes
GAME #17: Niagara Purple Eagles (4-12, 1-6 MAAC) at Manhattan Jaspers (5-11, 1-6 MAAC)
Sunday, January 15, 2017 - 2:00 PM
Riverdale, NY - Draddy Gymnasium (2,520)
Video: Jasper Sports Network
Audio
Live Stats
TODAY'S GAME
After playing four games in eight days to open the New Year, the Jaspers (5-11, 1-6 MAAC) take the court for the only time in a 10-day span, as they open a two-game homestand against Niagara (4-12, 1-6 MAAC). It's “Alumni Day” at Draddy Gymnasiu, as nearly 20 former players have returned to campus for today's contest. Manhattan, which is looking to snap a four-game losing streak, dropped an 81-38 decision at first-place Quinnipiac on Tuesday. Niagara, meanwhile, has lost eight straight. The Purple Eagles are coming off a 68-61 defeat at Iona on Friday.
ABOUT THE JASPERS
Manhattan (5-11, 1-6 MAAC) suffered its fourth straight defeat, an 81-38 decision, at first-place Quinnipiac on Tuesday night. Junior guard Amani Tatum leads the team in scoring (11.0 ppg) while also pacing the MAAC in assists (4.8 apg) and ranking second in the league in steals (3.2 spg). However, she has missed the last three games with an ankle injury. Junior center Kayla Grimme tallies 10.6 points per contest to go along with a team-best 6.6 rebounds per outing. She's tied for the MAAC lead in blocks with an average of 1.8 a night, and she also ranks second in the league in free throw percentage (.814). Senior guard Maeve Parahus contributes 6.1 points per game and sinks a squad-high 1.6 three-pointers per contest, while junior guard Nyasha Irizarry sinks 1.4 treys per outing. The Jaspers wrap up their two-game homestand against Iona (9-7, 4-3 MAAC) on Friday night before playing five of their next six on the road.
ABOUT THE PURPLE EAGLES
Niagara (4-12, 1-6 MAAC) is looking to snap an eight-game losing streak. In their last contest, the Purple Eagles dropped a 68-61 decision at Iona on Friday night. Junior forward Victoria Rampado leads Niagara in both scoring in rebounding. She ranks second in the MAAC with 8.1 boards per game and fourth with 16.1 points per contest. In addition, Rampado is tied for the conference lead with five double-doubles. Junior forward Kaylee Stroemple adds 12.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per outing, and her .548 field goal percentage is the second-best mark in the league. Senior guard Tiffany Corselli, meanwhile, contributes 10.1 points a night. She also paces the Purple Eagles with 2.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Freshman guard Morgan Baughman tallies 7.8 points per contest and sinks a team-high 2.3 three-pointers per outing while shooting .398 from long range. Niagara returns home on Wednesday night for a matchup with Canisius (4-12, 3-4 MAAC).
SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan won both meeting against Niagara last season. The Jaspers posted an 80-62 victory at Draddy Gymnasium on Dec. 4, 2015, then completed their first season sweep of the Purple Eagles since 2010-11 with a 58-49 triumph at the Gallagher Center on Feb. 21, 2016. Niagara was one of two teams (along with Saint Peter's) that Manhattan defeated twice in 2015-16. The all-time series between the schools is currently deadlocked at 28-28.
LAST TIME OUT
On Tuesday night, the Jaspers suffered an 81-38 loss to first-place Quinnipiac at the TD Bank Sports Center. Manhattan scored the first four points of the game and led 12-11 midway through the first quarter. However, Quinnipiac ended the period on a 9-0 run to open up a 20-12 advantage. The Bobcats then extended the cushion to 40-19 at halftime. Quinnipiac led 65-30 after three quarter and opened up its largest lead of the game, 81-35, late in the fourth quarter. KellyAnne O'Reilly capped the scoring with a traditional three-point play, as the Bobcats notched an 81-38 win to hand Manhattan its fourth straight loss. Kayla Grimme paced the Jaspers with 10 points, while O'Reilly tallied eight points to go along with a career-high six rebounds. Gabby Cajou and Taylor Williams, meanwhile, pulled down five rebounds apiece.
WELCOME BACK
A number of former players have returned to campus this afternoon for the Jaspers' “Alumni Day.” More than 15 former Jaspers took part in an alumni game and reception prior to today's contest. Among the alumni in attendance are Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Fame members Lisa Toscano, Marianne Reilly, Stacey Jack, Sandy Gordon and Donna Seybold.
