Manhattan Visits McNeese State In WNIT Consolation Round

Manhattan-McNeese State Game Notes

GAMEDAY
After dropping a 64-45 decision to Hartford in its season opener, Manhattan (0-1) visits McNeese State (0-1) in the consolation round of the 2011 Preseason Women's NIT.  The Cowgirls lost their first round matchup, 67-59, at UCLA.  McNeese State won the Southland Conference title last season, making this Manhattan's second straight contest against a team that played in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.  The Jaspers will face either East Tennessee State or UAB to conclude their participation in the Preseason Women's NIT tomorrow afternoon.

THE MANHATTAN JASPERS
Manhattan (0-1) is coming off a 64-45 season-opening loss to Hartford in the first round of the Preseason Women's NIT last Friday night.  In 2010-11, the Jaspers notched a school-record 24 victories and advanced to the semifinals of the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI).  Junior forward Toni-Ann Lawrence, senior forward Lindsey Loutsenhizer and sophomore guard Monica Roeder all tallied a team-high nine points against the Hawks.  Roeder, who was named to the Preseason All-MAAC Third Team, is the Jaspers' top returning scorer.  She averaged 9.7 points per game last season.  Loutsenhizer, a Preseason Second Team All-MAAC pick, tallied 9.4 points and a team-high 6.1 rebounds per contest in 2010-11.  Both Roeder and Loutsenhizer also pulled down five rebounds against Hartford.  Senior guard Schyanne Halfkenny had a career-high five steals to go along with five boards last Friday night.

THE McNEESE STATE COWGIRLS
McNeese State (0-1) dropped a 67-59 decision at UCLA in the first round of the Preseason Women's NIT.  The Cowgirls, who won the Southland Conference title and played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time last season, were picked to win the league again in the Southland Preseason Poll.  Junior guard Ashlyn Baggett was a Preseason First Team All-Southland pick.  She finished second in the conference in scoring last season (16.7 ppg) and notched a team-high 15 points in the season opener.  Junior guard Caitlyn Baggett, Ashlyn's twin sister, added 12 points and six assists against UCLA.  She was selected to the Preseason All-Southland Second Team.  Senior forward Kendra Wells had a double-double in the loss to UCLA, notching 11 points and 10 rebounds.  Brooks Donald Williams was named Southland Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Cowgirls to a school-record 26 wins last season.

SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan and McNeese State are meeting for the first time, making McNeese State the only first-time opponent on this season's schedule.  In addition, this is the first time the Jaspers are playing against any member of the Southland Conference.  It's also the first time that Manhattan is playing a game in the State of Louisiana.  The Jaspers have now taken the court in 28 different states and Washington, DC., as well as the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

UP NEXT
The Jaspers conclude their participation in the Preseason WNIT tomorrow afternoon against either East Tennessee State or UAB.  The Manhattan-McNeese State winner faces the winner of the contest between the Lady Bucs and Blazers, while Friday's losers will also square off tomorrow.  Either way, Manhattan plays in the 2 p.m. CT game on Saturday.

LAST TIME OUT
The Jaspers opened the 2011-12 campaign with a 64-45 loss to Hartford in the first round of the Preseason Women's NIT last Friday night.  Manhattan forced a turnover on five of Hartford's first six possessions, and the Jaspers held an 8-7 advantage at the 12:07 mark of the first half.  However, the Hawks ended the opening frame on a 17-4 run to take a 24-12 lead into the locker room.  Hartford extended its lead to 16 points early in the second half before Manhattan pulled within eight, 35-27, with 13:47 remaining.  However, the Jaspers would pull no closer, and Hartford pulled away late for a season-opening 64-45 victory.  Toni-Ann Lawrence, Lindsey Loutsenhizer and Monica Roeder each had nine points to lead the Jaspers, while Loutsenhizer, Roeder and Schyanne Halfkenny pulled down five rebounds apiece.