Jaspers Hit Road Again, Visit Lafayette On Saturday

Manhattan-Lafayette Game Notes

GAMEDAY
The Jaspers (2-4) hit the road for the sixth time in their first seven games for this afternoon's matchup with Lafayette (2-5) at the Kirby Sports Center.  Manhattan dropped a 59-49 decision to Fordham in its home opener on Wednesday night, while the Leopards suffered a 49-39 loss at Penn on Wednesday.  Manhattan has alternated wins and losses over its last four contests, while Lafayette is currently on a two-game losing streak.  Up next, the Jaspers have almost a week off before concluding non-conference play at New Hampshire (3-2) on Friday.

THE MANHATTAN JASPERS
Manhattan (2-4) looks to bounce back after dropping a 59-49 decision to Fordham in its home opener on Wednesday night.  Offensively, the Jaspers are paced by sophomore guard/forward Monica Roeder, who tallies 14.5 points per game.  Roeder drains 2.5 three-pointers per outing and ranks third in the MAAC with a three-point percentage of .469.  Senior forward Lindsey Loutsenhizer will be playing in her 100th game as a Jasper this afternoon.  Loutsenhizer, who moved into 15th place on the Jaspers' all-time scoring list against Fordham, averages 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.  She also leads the Jaspers with 2.3 steals per contest.  Junior guard Maggie Blair dishes out a team-best 4.5 assists per game, while senior forward Nadia Petersis fourth in the MAAC with 1.3 blocks per game.  Following the game, the Jaspers are off until next Friday, when they visit New Hampshire.

THE LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS
Lafayette (2-5) has dropped two straight, including a 49-39 loss at Penn on Wednesday night.  The Leopards have taken on a pair of MAAC opponents this season, winning 59-50 at Saint Peter's and losing, 64-56, at Rider.  Sophomore center Danielle Fiacco ranks second nationally in blocked shots, averaging 4.9 per game.  Fiacco is averaging just short of a double-double this season, leading the Leopards with 14.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per contest.  She has 34 blocks this season.  Freshman forward Emily Homan contributes 9.0 points per game, while senior forward Sarah McGorry ranks third on the team in scoring (7.9 ppg) and second in rebounding (6.3 rpg).  Freshman guard Brya Freeland distributes 1.9 assists per outing while also leading the Leopards in steals (1.3 spg).  As a team, the Leopards have made just five three-pointers in seven games this season.  Lafayette is shooting a mere .096 from three-point range.

SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan and Lafayette are meeting for the second consecutive season and ninth time overall.  The Leopards won last year's contest, 53-50 at Draddy Gymnasium, to even the all-time series at 4-4.  Prior to last season, the Jaspers and Leopards hadn't met since Dec. 7, 1996, when Manhattan notched a 63-55 victory.  The sides haven't played in Easton since Feb. 18, 1991.

LAST TIME OUT
The Jaspers dropped their home opener, 59-49, to local rival Fordham in the 43rd edition of the "Battle of the Bronx" at Draddy Gymnasium on Wednesday night.  The Jaspers went on a 16-4 run over the final 4:10 of the first half to turn a 23-16 deficit into a 32-27 halftime lead.  Manhattan took its largest lead of the game, 34-27, early in the second half before Fordham rallied for eight straight poitns to take a one-point edge.  After a Nadia Peters layup put Manhattan back in front, Fordham outscored the Jaspers 15-1 over the next nine minutes.  The Jaspers pulled within seven with 1:11 left, but wouldn't get any closer, and Fordham held on for the 59-49 victory.  Peters led the Jaspers with 12 points and six rebounds, while Lindsey Loutsenhizer contributed 10 points.