Manhattan-Fordham Game Notes
GAME #8: MANHATTAN JASPERS (1-6) AT FORDHAM RAMS (6-4)
Sunday, December 14, 2014-2 p.m.
Bronx, N.Y.-Rose Hill Gym (3,200)
Video: Rams All-Access
Audio: www.fordhamsports.com
GAME INFORMATION
Manhattan (1-6) concludes its five-game road trip with the short trek across town for the annual “Battle of the Bronx” against Fordham (6-4) this afternoon at Rose Hill Gym. The Jaspers have dropped each of their last five decisions, including a 64-36 loss at Niagara last Sunday afternoon. Fordham has won two straight and is coming off a 72-36 victory at Central Connecticut on Tuesday. This is Manhattan's last road game for more than a month, as each of the Jaspers' next eight contests will take place at Draddy Gymnasium.
THE JASPERS
The Jaspers (1-6) are looking to snap a five-game skid. Manhattan is coming off a 64-36 loss at Niagara last Sunday. Junior forward Shayna Ericksen paces the Jaspers with 11.0 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. She ranks fourth in the MAAC in rebounding, and her .522 field goal percentage is third-best in the league. Freshman guard Nyasha Irizarry tallies 7.1 points per outing, while freshman center Kayla Grimme notches 6.4 points and 7.0 boards a night to go along with a team-high 2.0 blocks per contest. Grimme is second in the MAAC in blocks. Junior guard Jacqui Thompson hands out 3.1 assists per game, and she ranks third in the MAAC with a free throw percentage of .875. Sophomore guard Maeve Parahus is the Jaspers' top three-point shooter. She drains 1.4 treys per contest and is shooting .303 from beyond the arc. This is the end of five-game road trip for Manhattan, which begins a school-record eight-game homestand against American on Wednesday night.
THE RAMS
Defending Atlantic 10 champion Fordham (6-4) has won two straight, including a 72-36 triumph at Central Connecticut on Tuesday night. Senior forward Emily Tapio paces the Rams with 13.4 points per game on .532 shooting, and her 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per outing are also team highs. Tapio also ranks third on the squad with 5.1 rebounds per contest. Sophomore guard Hannah Missry contributes 10.9 points a night, and her 3.1 three-pointers per game are the most on the team. Junior forward Samantha Clark registers 8.3 points per outing to go along with a team-high 7.2 rebounds per contest. Senior guard Tiffany Ruffin leads the Rams with 3.4 assists a night, and she boasts a free throw percentage of .895. Freshman forward G'mrice Davis, meanwhile, pulls down 5.2 rebounds per outing. Following the contest, the Rams are off until Dec. 29, when they host Savannah State in the first game of their annual Holiday Tournament.
MANHATTAN VS. FORDHAM ALL-TIME
The Jaspers have met Forham at least once annually every season since women's basketball became a varsity sport in 1978-79. This is the 46th all-time meeting between the rivals, with Manhattan leading the series 24-21. Fordham has won each of the last three matchups, however, including a 71-46 victory at Draddy Gymnasium on Dec. 21, 2013. Manhattan's last win over the Rams was a 49-45 triumph on Dec. 18, 2010.
LAST GAME
Last Sunday, Manhattan dropped a 64-36 decision to Niagara at the Gallagher Center. The Jaspers jumped out to a 6-0 lead before the Purple Eagles rallied to go up 13-8. Manhattan responded with a 10-4 spurt to go back in front, then, after a pair of Niagara free throws, Kayla Grimme hit a layup with 2.4 seconds remaining to give the Jaspers a 20-19 halftime lead. Manhattan extended its advantage to three at 27-24 early in the second half. However, the Jaspers then went on a 15-minute scoring drought. Niagara went on a 33-0 run during that span to open up a 57-27 cushion. Manhattan finally got back on the board with 2:28 left, and the Jaspers outscored the Purple Eagles 9-7 the rest of the way to make the final score 64-36. Grimme finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, while Shayna Ericksen added eight points.