Late Comeback Not Enough to Push Jaspers Over Siena

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Loudonville, NY - Down 15 with 8:31 left to play in the game, Manhattan College went on a 15-4 run to cut Siena's lead to as little as three during a conference match-up between the two teams on Friday, January 26 at the Alumni Recreation Center. But the Jaspers were unable to overtake the Saints, ultimately losing the contest 56-51. With the loss, the Jaspers fall to 7-12 overall this season and 4-4 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Siena improves to 11-10 and 6-4 in the league. 

The Saints broke out to an early lead, scoring the game's first 11 points in five minutes of play. The Jaspers scored their first basket of the game at the 4:50 mark on a layup by Kayla Grimme (Altoona, PA / Altoona Area), followed by a layup from senior Taylor Williams (Windsor, CT / Capital Preparatory Magnet) and four points from Mikki Guiton (Schwenksville, PA / Perkiomen). The Jaspers finished the first period down 15-8. 

Guiton exploded for eight points in the second quarter, helping the Jaspers to 50 percent shooting for the quarter. Manhattan nearly doubled its first-quarter points with 15 in the period, but allowed 17 to the Saints, giving Siena a 32-23 lead at the half. In the third, Manhattan shot just 28.6 percent, and Siena extended its lead to as many as 16 points. 

But Grimme took over in the fourth, scoring the Jaspers first seven points of the quarter, including converting on an old-fashioned three-point play. Sophomore Gabby Cajou (Stony Point, NY / North Rockland) and freshman Lizahya Morgan (East Hartford, CT / Capital Preparatory Magnet) each contributed baskets in the next phase of the run, while Grimme knocked down a three with 3:41 left to play to get Manhattan within five. A minute later, two foul shots by Cajou cut the Saints' lead to just three, but it was the final time the Jaspers would score in the game. 

Grimme led Manhattan with 16 points and eight rebounds, in addition to tallying five blocks, the first of which was the 200th blocked shot for her career. Guiton added 14 points, while Cajou nabbed 10 and was just two assists away from a points-assists double-double. 

Up Next:
Manhattan plays Monmouth (5-14, 3-5 MAAC) in Draddy Gymnasium on Sunday, January 28 at 2 p.m. It is the first meeting of the Jaspers and Hawks this season.