Quarterfinal Showdown Versus Canisius on Deck

Quarterfinal Showdown Versus Canisius on Deck
ATLANTIC, CITY, N.J. - The No. 4 seed Manhattan women's basketball team (18-11) will play No. 5 seed Canisius on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the quarterfinals of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), which is being held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. 
 
Tournament History
This week, the Jaspers are in search of making their third straight MAAC Tournament Championship Game and eighth overall. The Jaspers closed the regular season with a 10-point win over crosstown rival Iona on Senior Day. Thursday marks the third time the Jaspers and Griffins have played all year with Manhattan winning the first two contests. Manhattan has four tournament crowns with the last title coming in 2003 with a 65-57 victory over Siena. Siobhan Kilkenny was named the Tournament MVP. Other MAAC Championships were won in  1987, 1990, and 1996.
 
The Preview
The all-time series between Manhattan and Canisius has the Jaspers leading 23-14. Manhattan is on a 10-game win streak over the Griffins. The Jaspers are 14-4 against Canisius at home and 8-10 away. Last time out, Manhattan played Canisius on Feb. 22, 2024, with a 54-51 victory. The Jaspers had a balanced effort led by three double-digit scorers. Ines Gimenez Monserrat scored 14, Jade Blagrove scored 13, and Leyla Ozturk had 11 for Manhattan.
 
The Opponent
Canisius 16-13 dropped its final regular season game to Niagara, 84-50. Junior Athina Lexa became the second player in program history to be named MAAC Sixth Player of the Year while sophomore Sisi Eleko was named a unanimous All-MAAC First Team selection. Lexa averaged 11.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game this season in 29 regular season games. Her 11.2 points per game scoring average ranks second on the team and 13th in the MAAC. The MAAC leader in double-doubles with 19, Eleko leads Canisius and the MAAC in scoring average (16.0), total points (465), rebounds per game (10.8) and total rebounds (312). 

By the Numbers
Manhattan entered the week ranked first in the MAAC in free throw percentage (77.1), first in blocked shots (3.76), second in assists (14.21), second in assists/turnover ratio (0.88), second in scoring defense (56.7), fourth in opponent field goal percentage (38.5). The Jaspers also rank 25th in the nation in free throw percentage and 28th in scoring defense.
 
Juric ranks sixth in rebounding (7.8), fourth in field goal percentage (.510), and seventh in blocked shots (0.9). Leyla Ozturk ranks second in blocked shots (1.5). Anne Bair ranks fourth in assist/turnover ratio (1.3) and eighth in assists (3.4). Nitzan Amar ranks second in assist/turnover ratio (1.8), and fourth in assists (3.8).
 
Against the Top 3
The Jaspers are the fourth seed in the MAAC Tournament. This is how they've faired against the top 3 teams.
 
Jaspers vs. Top 3 Teams
vs. Fairfield: 0-2
       L, 82-58
       L, 77-53
vs. Niagara: 1-1
       W, 64-53
       L, 88-63
vs. Siena: 1-1
       W,  60-53
       L, 74-51
  
Manhattan Connection
Canisius head coach Sahar Nusseibeh spent three seasons (2016-19) as the associate head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive coordinator at Manhattan College. During her time at Manhattan, Nusseibeh played a key role in recruiting and coaching five All-MAAC selections, two MAAC All-Rookie Team honorees and the 2019 MAAC Women's Defensive Player of the Year. 
 
All-Conference Nod
Manhattan College junior forward Petra Juric was named to the All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Second Team. Juric entered the season as an all-preseason team pick and led Manhattan to a No. 4 seed in the upcoming MAAC Tournament. The Zagreb, Croatia native averaged 10.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 24 blocked shots. She started 24 of 26 games and shot 51.6 percent from the floor. The veteran registered 12 double-digit games with a game-high 24 points and five double-doubles. It is the first All-MAAC honor for Juric.
 
Thursday's Game
Watch: ESPN+
MAAC.tv: Click Here

Tickets: To purchase tickets, visit gojaspers.universitytickets.com. For any questions, call 718-862-7297 or email tickets@manhattan.edu.

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