Riverdale, NY - The Manhattan College women's basketball team (2-6) shot 90 percent in the first quarter Wednesday night, the Jaspers' best shooting percentage for an opening period this season. But the strong start wasn't enough to keep UAlbany (6-2) at bay as Manhattan fell to the Great Danes 62-56 in a non-conference matchup at Draddy Gymnasium.
The Jaspers jumped out to a 21-13 first-quarter lead, shooting 9-10 from the field and 3-4 from beyond the three-point arc. Three players, Gabby Cajou (Stony Point, NY / North Rockland), Amani Tatum (Cambria Heights, NY / James Madison), and Taylor Williams (Windsor, CT / Capital Preparatory Magnet), all had five points in the quarter, the Jaspers' highest-scoring first period of the season.
A slight momentum shift in the second quarter meant a low-scoring period for both teams: UAlbany picked up nine points in the second, while Manhattan was able to tally just six, and the Jaspers took a five-point lead to the locker room at the half.
But a three by UAlbany's Mackenzie Trpcic halfway through the third quarter cut the Manhattan advantage to one. It was followed by a layup from Great Dane Jessica Fequiere, giving UAlbany the lead, which the team wouldn't relinquish for the rest of the game.
The Jaspers outscored UAlbany 22-16 in the paint for the game. But Manhattan was outrebounded on the offensive end 14-8. The Jaspers also gave UAlbany 24 free throw opportunities, and the Great Danes converted 16. Manhattan shot just 11 foul shots, hitting eight.
Kayla Grimme (Altoona, PA / Altoona Area) led Manhattan's scoring effort with 17 points, 13 of which came in the second half. Tatum added 14 points, with five steals.
Up Next:
The Jaspers will travel to Durham, NH to take on UNH Saturday, December 9 at 1 p.m.