PHOENIX, AZ –
Bella Nascimento was right at home in GCU Arena this afternoon, posting a career-high 23 points to send Manhattan past Lindenwood 69-53 in game one of the GCU Thanksgiving Classic.
Manhattan improves to 2-3 on the year while Lindenwood will continue to search for their first win in the Division I era, dropping to 0-4.
"This is one of my proudest wins in my career at Manhattan to be down to 8 players and for the team to respond the way they did was why I love being a Jasper," Said head coach
Heather Vulin. "Our players are tough and have grit and play for each other. Super proud and happy for Bella in her breakout game. Her offense and plays on defense were vital to this win. Petra with her second consecutive double-double was a force underneath. Truly a team effort for the win!"
In the first quarter, Nascimento provided a spark for the Jaspers offensive, scoring seven points straight points on three straight possessions. She connected on a floater, then the next time down the floor, she connected on a deep ball then converted on a pull-up jumper in transition. The rhythm that the Grafton, Mass native got in during that run stayed did not go away until the final buzzer.
As time expired in the second quarter,
Anne Bair stole the ball from a Lion defender following a rebound and found
Christina Katsamouri under the basket who put it through as the buzzer sounded to give the Jaspers the momentum going into the half with a 29-22 lead.
The Green and White made their move at the end of the third quarter, going on an 8-2 run which was capped off by a pair of free throws by Bair. In the fourth quarter, the lead got up to double digits and never went under. The final period saw the Jaspers 24-16.
Nascimento finished 10-17 from the field, 2-4 from deep. She added two steals and dished out three assists.
Petra Juric finished the game with her second consecutive double-double, pouring in a career-high 22 points and hauling in 12 boards. Of those 12 boards, eight came on the offensive end while shooting 7-12 from the field.
Manhattan wraps up the GCU Thanksgiving Classic tomorrow at 12 p.m. local time, 2 p.m. eastern, with a matchup against North Dakota.
