Niagara Tops Manhattan To Set Semifinal Matchup with Marist
Niagara Media Relations
Albany, NY - The fifth-seeded Niagara Purple Eagles used a second half explosion to defeat the fourth-seeded Manhattan Jaspers, 66-54, in the 2010 Citizens Bank MAAC Championship Quarterfinals on Friday afternoon. Niagara advances to the semifinal round for the first time since 2005, where they will meet top-seeded Marist.
Niagara (13-17) was buoyed by the 3-point ball in today's game, shooting 50 percent (10-for-20) from the arc, which helped break open the game in the second half after a close first half. Four of the first six baskets for the Purple Eagles were 3-pointers to start the game as Niagara and Manhattan (15-15) swap leads throughout the first half. Senior Rachele Folino drained a 3-pointer at 5:55 left to give NU a 16-14 lead and took a 24-20 halftime advantage.
The Purple Eagles connected on back-to-back 3-pointers by Liz Flooks and Kayla Stroman as the Purple Eagles began to heat up from the field. Flooks busted out of a recent shooting slump by finishing the game with game-high 17 points,along with Stroman, behind 50 percent shooting (5-for-10) from behind the arc. Flooks punctuated her night by draining a 28-foot jumper from the top of the arc with the shot clock expiring to give Niagara a 50-34 lead with seven minutes remaining. Niagara's lead would balloon as much as 19 points in the final minutes.
Niagara was explosive offensively and defensively during the second half. The Purple Eagles scored 42 points while their energy forced 11 Jaspers turnovers in the second half and 20 in the game. Niagara also had balanced contribution tonight. Flooks finished with 17 points. Stroman, the 2010 MAAC Rookie of the Year, had 17 points, six assists and four rebounds. Folino added 13 points and eight rebounds, while fellow senior Jaclyn Konieckza had her first career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds and had six assists.