Manhattan-Fordham Game Notes
Game 3: Manhattan (1-1) at Fordham (0-1)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008-7 p.m.
Bronx, N.Y.-Rose Hill Gym (3,200)
TV: None
Radio/Internet: WFUV-FM 90.7, fordhamsports.com
TONIGHT'S GAME
The Lady Jaspers (1-1) conclude their season-opening three-game road swing tonight with a short trip across town to face Fordham (0-1) in the annual “Battle of the Bronx.” Manhattan dropped a 71-68 decision at Massachusetts on Sunday afternoon, while Fordham, which was picked 14th in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, lost its season opener 69-57 to Princeton on Friday night. It was the Rams' 35th consecutive loss.
ABOUT THE LADY JASPERS
The new-look Lady Jaspers have had no trouble scoring points this season. Through two games, Manhattan is averaging 65.5 points per game. Freshman forward Lindsey Loutsenhizer, one of five true freshmen on the Manhattan roster, has been impressive so far this season. She tallied 14 points and six rebounds in each of the first two games, and leads the Lady Jaspers in each category. Junior guard Michelle Pacheco poured in a career-high 19 points in the season opener on Friday night and is averaging 12.0 points per game. Pacheco also leads the Lady Jaspers with 4.0 assists per game. Senior center Kelly Regan had 17 points on Sunday and averages 11.5 points per game. As a team, Manhattan is averaging 7.5 three-pointers per game, led by senior guard Annie McIntyre's 2.5 three-pointers per game. Freshman guard Alyssa Herrington has made two three-pointers in each of her first two collegiate games.
ABOUT THE RAMS
Fordham has lost 35 straight games, and a loss tonight would make the Rams' losing streak the fifth-longest in NCAA history. Long Island holds the record, having lost 58 straight games from 1987-89. The Rams' last victory was a 74-65 triumph over Duquesne on Feb. 18, 2007. Sophomore guard Megan Mahoney earned a place on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team last season after leading the Rams with 15.4 points per game. Senior guard Annie Zopf averaged 10.6 points per game last season and led the Rams with 81 assists. Senior forward Takita Earl paced the Rams with 7.4 rebounds per game, while sophomore guard Kristina Bell averaged 5.7 rebounds per game in 2007-08. Junior forward Randall Hurst, who transferred to Fordham this season from Daytona Beach Community College, tallied 18 points in the season-opening loss to Princeton on Friday night.
THE MANHATTAN-FORDHAM SERIES
Manhattan has played cross-town rival Fordham more than any other non-conference opponent. Tonight's contest is the 40th meeting between the schools, which have met at least once a season since 1979-80. Manhattan leads the all-time series 22-17. Last season in Draddy Gymnasium, the Lady Jaspers notched a 65-53 victory. The Rams posted a 63-54 win when the teams last met at Rose Hill Gym on Nov. 29, 2006.
LAST TIME OUT
Manhattan led for 39:58 on Sunday at Massachusetts, but Sakera Young nailed a free throw with two seconds left, then hit a layup as time expired to give the Minutewomen a 71-68 victory. The Lady Jaspers had a chance to win with seven seconds left, but Kelly Regan's hook shot rimmed out and Young grabbed the rebound to set up the final sequence. Manhattan went on runs of 13-0 and 17-5 to open up a 24-point advantage in the first half and led 44-25 at halftime. A three-pointer by Abby Wentworth made it 53-33 with 16:08 left before the Minutewomen began their comeback. Regan tallied a team-high 17 points, while Lindsey Loutsenhizer notched 14 points and six rebounds for the second consecutive game.
