RIVERDALE, NY (March 2, 2003) - The Manhattan College women's baskeball team defeated Iona 68-58 on Sunday at Draddy Gym to become Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Co-Champions.
The Lady Jaspers (18-9, 15-3) share the regular season crown with Siena, but will be the conference's number one seed, holding the edge in tie-breakers. This marked the first time the Lady Jaspers have ever captured the MAAC Regular Season Championship.
Manhattan came out with a lot of energy and took an early 16-4 lead.
Rosalee Mason (London, England) scored six points during that stretch, including a layup off a back door pass from
Siobhan Kilkenny (Castlebar, Irleand).
Tiffany Schettig (Altoona, PA) excited the crowd on a behind the back pass to Mason for a layup to give the Lady Jaspers a 30-18 lead. Manhattan took a 34-26 lead at the half.
Schettig drained a three-pointer to give Manhattan a 46-34 advantage. Iona closed the gap to six, 48-42 but
Eve Walters (Pittsford, NY) and
Christine Bach (Floral Park, NY) hit key jumpers to keep Manhattan ahead by eight, 52-44.
After Sheena Howard led Iona back to within five, 54-49, Mason made consecutive baskets to give Manhattan a 58-49 lead. Mason finished with a game high 27 points and eight rebounds.
Schettig and Kilkenny hit pressure free throws in the closing moments to give Manhattan a 68-58 lead. Kilkenny finished with 13 points and Schettig added 10.
The Lady Jaspers return to action on Saturday at the MAAC Championships at Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, NJ. Pairing and times of the games will be announced soon.
