Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Fans got their first look at the 2008-09 edition of the Manhattan College women's basketball team on Saturday evening at Draddy Gymnasium, and if that first impression is any indication, the Lady Jaspers are in for a pretty good season. Three players scored in double figures, led by Michelle Pacheco's (Bronx, N.Y.) 19 points, as the Lady Jaspers shot 47.6 percent (30-for-63) from the field in a 75-48 exhibition win over Saint Rose. Pacheco also had seven assists, five steals and four rebounds in 26 minutes of action.
Saint Rose scored first on a three-pointer by Elizabeth Buckley, but a Pacheco steal and coast-to-coast layup ignited a 14-2 Manhattan run over the next 4:44 that put the Lady Jaspers in front 16-5. A pair of Ali Johnson free throws cut the lead to nine at 16-7, but Pacheco drained a jumper on the other end and Manhattan's lead never dipped below 10 after that. The lead reached 20 on a trey by Annie McIntyre (Portland, Ore.), and Manhattan led 41-22 at halftime. Pacheco had 13 first-half points, and McIntyre had 12.
Manhattan continued pouring it on in the second half. Dana Brown sank a layup to cut the Golden Knights' deficit to 19 at 47-28, but that was as close as Saint Rose would get in the second half. Abby Wentworth (Portland, Maine) hit a jumper to bring the lead back to 21, which served as Manhattan's smallest advantage the remainder of the game. The lead reached a high-water mark of 31 points when freshman Alyssa Herrington (Cambridge, N.Y.), seeing the first game action of her collegiate career, sank a three-pointer to make it 75-44 with 3:25 to go. Saint Rose drained four free throws down the stretch to bring the final margin to 75-48.
“For the first time out, it was good to see our defensive intensity,” Head Coach Myndi Hill said. “Michelle, Annie and Kelly (Regan) did a great job. It was great to see them step into those leadership roles.”
McIntyre poured in 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting and added three steals. Herrington tallied 15 points on five three-pointers and pulled down a game-high seven rebounds. Kelly Regan (Williamsville, N.Y.) posted eight points, four rebounds and four assists, while Nadia Peters (Bronx, N.Y.) had three blocks to go along with six points and three boards. The Lady Jaspers shot 32 percent (8-for-25) from three-point range and 58.3 percent (7-for-12) from the free throw line.
Lauren Revesz was the only Golden Knight in double figures with 10 points. Amy Voelkel and Ashley Rath each tallied eight points for Saint Rose. Voelkel also grabbed a team-high six rebounds. Revesz and Ashley Anderson each added five rebounds, as the Golden Knights outrebounded the Lady Jaspers 38-31. Saint Rose shot 34.1 percent (15-for-44) from the field, 23.1 percent (3-for-13) from beyond the arc, and 68.2 percent (15-for-22) from the line. The Golden Knights committed 29 turnovers, which led to 33 Manhattan points.
The Lady Jaspers begin the 2008-09 regular season with a 6 p.m. showdown at St. Francis (NY) on Friday. Manhattan's first regular season home game will be a 2 p.m. contest against St. John's on Nov. 22.
NOTES: Pacheco's career-high in a regular season game is 13 points...The game was the opener of an exhibition doubleheader, as the men's team took on Baruch at 7:30 p.m....All 12 players on the roster played at least four minutes...As a part of the Manhattan Madness event, the 30th anniversary of the program was acknowledged...Each player was given a pink rose, which she then presented to Saint Rose Head Coach Karen Haag, a two-time breast cancer survivor...In addition, the Manhattan College Office of Student Activities donated $360 ($30 per player) to Camp Bravehearts, a charity started by Haag, on behalf of the women's basketball team.
