Jasper Women Open "Hoops for Cancer" Doubleheader Against Loyola

Manhattan-Loyola Game Notes

GAMEDAY
After a week off, Manhattan (9-9, 3-3 MAAC) returns to action this afternoon against Loyola (6-12, 2-5 MAAC) on "Hoops for Cancer Day" at Draddy Gymnasium.  The Jaspers have dropped three of their last four games, including a 65-60 loss at Iona last Sunday.  Loyola has also lost three of its last four games, and the Greyhounds are coming off a 70-62 defeat at Marist on Friday.  This is the opener of a Manhattan basketball doubleheader.  Following the women's game, the Jasper men take on Niagara.

THE MANHATTAN JASPERS
The Jaspers (9-9, 3-3 MAAC) look to rebound after dropping a 65-60 decision at Iona last Sunday.  Manhattan has lost three of its last four games.  Senior forward Lindsey Loutsenhizer leads the team in both scoring and rebounding.  She tallies 12.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest.  Loutsenhizer also ranks second on the squad in assists (2.6 apg) and steals (1.9 spg).  She's also second in the MAAC in three-point percentage (.420).  Sophomore guard Monica Roeder tallies 11.0 points per game, while senior guard/forward Schyanne Halfkenny contributes 10.2 points and 5.3 rebounds an outing.  Senior forward Nadia Peters, who ranks second on the Jaspers' all-time blocked shots list, averages 1.1 blocks per game to go along with 2.5 steals and 5.2 rebounds per contest.  Sophomore guard Allison Skrec distributes a team-leading 2.7 assists per game.  This is Manhattan's only game in an 11-day period, as the Jaspers return to action at Fairfield on Friday.

THE LOYOLA GREYHOUNDS 
Loyola (6-12, 2-5 MAAC) dropped a 70-62 decision at Marist on Friday night and has lost three of its last four.  The Greyhounds are led by junior guard Katie Sheahin, who averages 14.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.  The 2010-11 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, Sheahin paces the conference with 3.3 steals per contest.  She also tallies 3.1 assists and 1.1 blocks per outing.  In addition, Sheahin drains a team-high 1.9 three-pointers per game.  Senior guard Miriam McKenzie contributes 14.5 points and a team-best 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting .446 from the field.  Freshman guard Kara Marshall tallies 8.9 points to go along with 2.0 steals a night.  Junior forward Alyssa Sutherland ranks second on the team in assists (2.3 apg) and third on the squad in rebounding (4.9 rpg), while sophomore forward Nneka Offodile grabs 4.3 boards per game.  This is the second contest of a four-game road trip for the Greyhounds.

SERIES HISTORY
Manhattan snapped a six-game losing streak against Loyola with a 61-45 victory at Reitz Arena on Jan. 4.  The Jaspers haven't beaten the Greyhounds at Draddy Gymnasium since posting a 55-49 triumph on Feb. 3, 2005.  The Greyhounds have won 16 of the last 20 meetings between the schools, including six straight in Riverdale, and hold a 24-23 edge in the all-time series.

LAST TIME OUT
Manhattan came back from 14 points down to pull within three, but ultimately fell short, 65-60 against Iona last Sunday at the Hynes Athletic Center.  Iona led 53-39 with 10:25 remaining before the Manhattan comback started in earnest with Monica Roeder three-pointer.  A trey by Maggie Blair trimmed the Jaspers' deficit to 63-60 with six seconds left before Iona's Suzi Fregosi drained a pair of free throws to ice the 65-60 victory for the Gaels.  Manhattan held an early 22-11 lead before Iona went on a 21-5 run to take the lead.  The Gaels drained a three-pointer as time expired in the first half, giving them a 38-29 advantage at intermission.  Lindsey Loutsenhizer paced the Jaspers with 14 points, while she and Nadia Peters both grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

HOOPS FOR CANCER
Today is Manhattan's annual "Hoops for Cancer Day."  Following the women's game, the Jasper men host Niagara, and $1 from all ticket sales for both games will be donated to the American Cancer Society.  A cancer information booth has been set up, and there will also be a variety of giveaways throughout the doubleheader, including "Hoops for Cancer" t-shirts.  In addition, one student in attendance will receive a semseter of free textbooks.