RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan women's basketball took down Canisius today 54-51, in a thriller at Draddy Gymnasium.
Manhattan improves to 17-8 overall and 10-6 in league play, while the Golden Griffins fall to 14-11 and 9-6 in the MAAC.
The Jaspers had a balanced effort tonight led by three double-digit scorers. Ines Gimenez Monserrat scored 14, Jade Blagrove scored 13, and Leyla Ozturk had 11 for Manhattan.
Canisius was led by Athina Lexa who scored 15 for the Golden Griffins. Brooklyn Thrash recorded a double-double scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
"Tremendous gut check win for our team." said Head Coach Heather Vulin. "They showed great resilience in coming back from a deficit and making big stops to seal the victory. Anne Bair made the play of the game getting the steal and converting on both free throws."
The game started with Canisius going up 7-2, before a 10-0 run gave Manhattan a 12-7 lead. Canisius would score the last six points of the quarter going into the second up 13-12. The teams would trade baskets, making the score 20-19 with 3:53 to play, before Canisius would score the final seven points of the quarter to go into the half up 27-19.
After a quiet first five minutes of the quarter, Manhattan would turn up their offense, including eight points in the paint from Ozturk in the quarter. Manhattan would continue to cut into the deficit, eventually tying the game 35-35 at the end of the quarter.
Canisius set the tone in the fourth quarter going out to a 43-39 with 6:31 to play. The Jaspers would score their next three possessions with baskets by Ozturk, Gimenez Monserrat and Anne Bair to tie the game 43-43. After trading baskets once more, Canisius would respond with a three-pointer to go up 48-45 with 3:12 remaining. However the Jaspers would get buckets from Nitzan Amar and Blagrove to go up 49-48 with 1:59 to play. Manhattan would get the ball back with the game tied, 49-49, and would convert via a jump shot from Gimenez Monserrat with 1:10 to play. Canisius would eventually have the ball down 52-49 with 16 seconds remaining. The Golden Griffiths converted, scoring two with 13 seconds to play. After gettinga stop, Canisius would have the ball with a chance to win. However, Bair was able get a steal before being fouled with 5 seconds left, proceeding to sink two key three throws, with would be all Mahattan would need to finish the 54-51 victory.
Manhattan takes the court again Thursday, February 29, when they head to Maryland to take on Mount St. Mary's for a 7 p.m. tip off.
Follow Us on Social Media: For the latest on the Manhattan College women's basketball program, follow the Jaspers on Twitter @Manhattan_WBB and Instagram @Manhattanwbb and like "Manhattan Jaspers Women's Basketball" on Facebook.
Â
