Buffalo, N.Y. (February 16, 2007)?Gabrielle Cottrell, with 21 points in the second half, did all she could to help Manhattan rally from a nine point halftime deficit, but Canisius was able to come away with a hard fought 56-52 win Friday night at the Koessler Athletic Center. The win improves Canisius' record 14-12 overall and 6-9 in the MAAC. The loss drops Manhattan's record to 5-10 in MAAC play and 8-18 overall.
With Manhattan trailing 46-37 with 4:13 to play, Cottrell would score the game's next seven points to get Manhattan within two points at 46-44 with 2:31 remaining. After a three-pointer by Jessie Lamparski gave Canisius a 49-44 lead, both teams would each go two possessions without scoring, which left just 48 seconds remaining on the clock.
With time running out, Manhattan was forced to begin fouling. The Golden Griffs took advantage, knocking down four fouls shots in a row, while Manhattan got a three-point play from Caitlin Flood and two foul shots from Michelle Pacheco in between, which made the score 53-49 with 25 seconds left. After Canisius' Brittane Russell hit one of two from the line to put the home side up five points, Cottrell knocked down an off balance three-pointer to cut Canisius' lead to 54-52 with just 12 seconds left. The Lady Jaspers were then forced to foul Lamparski immediately after she received the inbounds pass, but the senior would knock down both foul shots to close out the game.
Cottrell's 21 points set a new career high for the junior guard. In Manhattan's last outing against Saint Peter's, Cottrell had scored what was then a career high 20 points.
Manhattan continues its final road trip of the season Sunday afternoon when they take on the Niagara Purple Eagles. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m.
