Riverdale, N.Y. (November 22, 2005)--Behind a game-high 22 points by sophomore guard
Joann Nwafili, Manhattan Women's Basketball picked up its first win of the young season by downing Wagner College, 65-56, on Tuesday night at Draddy Gym. Nwafili, who scored 14 of her 22 points in the second half, also grabbed a game-high seven rebounds to go with four assists.
Although Nwafili made some key plays for the Lady Jaspers throughout the contest, the turning point came when junior forward
Michelle Bernal-Silva sacrificed her body on a hustle play. After Wagner took a 46-44 lead with 7:25 remaining in the second half, Lady Jasper sophomore forward
Caitlin Flood converted a layup the next time down the floor to knot the game up at 46. With Manhattan applying pressure on the Seahawks' ensuing possession, Bernal-Silva dove onto the floor to knock the ball away from Wagner guard Jessie Collins directly into the hands of Manhattan guard
Lupe Godinez.
After being fouled on a layup attempt, Godinez converted her first of two free throws to put the Lady Jaspers back in front 47-46. Godinez would miss the second shot, but Flood was there to corral the offensive rebound and kick the ball out to sophomore guard
Aubrie Dellinger who knocked down a wide open three-pointer for a 50-46 advantage. Wagner was unable to recover from the Lady Jaspers' four-point possession, as the Lady Jaspers eventually increased their lead to 10 points at the 3:41 mark.
The Lady Jaspers began the game by taking an 18-9 advantage, but Wagner managed to cut the deficit down to four going into the break behind nine first-half points by guard Chelsey Bunyer. Bunyer added another 12 in the second half to finish with a career-high 21.
Manhattan Women's Basketball returns to the hardwood in Flagstaff, Ariz., as the Lady Jaspers compete in the La Quinta Inn and Suites Thanksgiving Tournament at Northern Arizona University. The Lady J's are slated to square off against Army in the first round of the tournament on November 25 at 6:30 p.m. EST. On the following day, Manhattan takes on either Cal State-Fullerton or host school Northern Arizona depending on the first round results.
