RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Welcome back to the lineup
Petra Juric. The Manhattan women's basketball came away with its first victory of the 2022-2023 season against Howard in thrilling fashion, 56-54.
With the win, the Jaspers improve to 1-3 while the Bison fall to 1-3.
"I'm so proud of the resilience this team showed tonight against a well-coached and talented Howard team," said head coach
Heather Vulin following today's game. "The game had a playoff atmosphere and I felt Draddy was electric tonight. It was wonderful having Petra back in the lineup and putting forth a dominate performance. I also thought Helena really stepped up and gave us great production. I thought our leader,
Dee Dee Davis made two of the biggest plays of the game to seal our victory with her defense at the end of the game. Truly proud of this team!"
Before the game, senior guard
Dee Dee Davis was honored with her 1,000-point ball, a milestone she eclipsed in last year's MAAC Championship.
It was a closely contested contest for the entirety of the game, with the Jaspers taking an eight-point lead into the final 10 minutes (47-39). The Bison would not go away, coming into the fourth quarter firing on all cylinders. Howard scored five unanswered points, making the score 49-46. Juric connected on a layup to stop the Bison's momentum in its track. The teams proceeded to trade baskets on their next trips down the floor, making the score 53-48 with just over five minutes left.
With 1:56 left, the Jaspers clung to a 56-51 lead until Iyanna Warren connected on a layup and was fouled by the Jaspers'
Emily LaPointe, giving the Bison a chance for a three-point play, and to make the game a two-point affair. Warren hit the free throw, making the score 56-54. Howard got the ball with six seconds left and a chance to send it to overtime.
On the first inbounds play, Davis deflected the ball out of bounds and past the midcourt line, causing the Bison to call a timeout in order to advance the ball. Out of the timeout, Davis stole the inbounds pass, sealing the win for the Green and White.
Juric made her return to the lineup this afternoon and made her presence felt immediately. She finished today's game with a double-double, netting a career-high 21 points and hauling in 14 rebounds, another career mark for the sophomore. Her countrywoman,
Helena Galunic turned a career performance as well. Logging 33 minutes, she contributed 14 points and four steals.
The Jaspers return to the court next week for a pair of games out in Phoenix Ariz. for the Grand Canyon University Thanksgiving Classic. They open with Lindenwood on Friday, Nov. 25 then a game with North Dakota on Nov. 26.
