Dec. 8, 2006

Final Stats

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Jenna Franciosa topped all scorers with 16 points to lead the Lady Jaspers past Siena 52-42 in the Alumni Recreation Center this evening. Laura Menty (Wilbraham, Mass./Minnechaug) was the high scorer for the Saints for the fourth time this season posting 11 points. With the loss, Siena drops to 1-8 on the season marking the worst start since the 1975-76 season (1975-76 team finished with a 2-14 overall record, but there are no records of individual games).

"We were forcing shots," said head coach Gina Castelli. "We need to be more efficient on the offensive end."

The Saints took a 21-13 lead into the half with both teams shooting under 30% from the field. Siena started the game with an 8-1 run capped off by a Melissa Manzer (Johnson City, N.Y./Johnson City) jumper at the 16:00 minute mark. Manhattan tallied just three points in the first 11 minutes of play. Manzer was all over the glass in the first half pulling down a season high seven rebounds. The Saints entered the half with an eight point lead, their biggest halftime lead of the season.

Manhattan battled in the second half earning their first lead of the game at 6:51 when Gabrielle Cottrell knocked down a free throw giving the Lady Jaspers a 34-33 advantage. The Saints went on a scoring drought midway through the half. They were unable to hit a field goal for 10 minutes and 29 seconds. Shondaya Burrell (Albany, N.Y./Colonie) ended the slump with a layup at the 1:42 mark. A late scoring surge was not enough for Siena as the Lady Jaspers sank their free throws down the stretch. A combined score of 94 points proved to be the lowest since the 1977-78 season when Siena topped Albany Law 41-14.

The Saints look to earn their first league win of the season on Sunday when they take on Saint Peter's at 3 p.m. in the Alumni Recreation Center. Manhattan improves to 4-4 overall, 1-0 in the MAAC. The Lady Jaspers travel to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on Sunday for a league matchup with Marist. Tip time is slated for 2 p.m.