Albany, N.Y. (March 2, 2006)--The initial transition from the conclusion of the regular season into the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament has been a smooth one for Manhattan Women's Basketball over the past five seasons. With a convincing 89-52 victory over Rider in the First Round of the MAAC Tournament on Thursday evening at the Pepsi Arena, the Lady Jaspers made it five straight years in which they won their opening affair of the tournament. Helping to extend the trend were two freshman post players,
Kelly Regan and
Kymesha Alston, who were two of the five Lady J's to score in double figures on the night.
Regan, who matched her career high of 17 points, was effective early and often, as she netted 10 points in the first half to help spring Manhattan to a 40-26 advantage at the break. The 6-3 center notched her first career post-season points less than a minute and a half into the game, as sophomore forward
Caitlin Flood grabbed an offensive board and found an open Regan spotting up on the right elbow.
In addition to Regan tying her career high, Alston also had a memorable career night as she notched his first collegiate double-double. Alston, who finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, did most of her damage in the second half to help the Lady J's seal the deal and set up a showdown with third-seeded Loyola College tomorrow afternoon.
Sophomore guard
Joann Nwafili, who was recently named to the 2006 All-MAAC Third Team, also had a big night. Nwafili finished with 16 points, including 12 in the opening period, to go along with seven rebounds and six helpers. Senior
Lupe Godinez and sophomore
Gabrielle Cottrell, who were a combined 6-10 from three-point land, were the other two Lady Jaspers in double figures. Godinez finished with 13 points and five assists, while Cottrell netted 11 points to go with five boards.
As a team Manhattan shot over 60-percent from the field for the first time this season, but it was not solely the Lady Jasper offensive attack that allowed Manhattan to extend its season. The Lady J defense held Rider to a 27-percent shooting clip on the evening. The Broncs were unable to score for a 12:15 duration that spanned both halves. The bulk of the cold spell came in the second stanza, as Rider did not record a field goal in the half until Kara Borel's layup with exactly 10:00 showing on the clock. During the opening 10 minutes of the frame, Manhattan held Rider to only three points, all free throws.
Manhattan tips off tomorrow, March 3, at 1:15 p.m. against Loyola in the quarterfinal round.
