Lady Jaspers Fall Short in Season Opener
Steven Corvino
Issue date: 11/15/06 Section: Sports
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A second half comeback by the Lady Jaspers was not enough as they lost their home opener, and season opener, to Big East opponent, Providence College, 52-46.
Joann Nwafili, junior, proved why she was named Second Team pre-season All-MAAC, as she scored a team, and game high, 14 points. Her teammate, Kelly Regan, sophomore, also chipped in with nine points, and nearly had a double-double with nine rebounds.
Providence College guard Shauna Snyder also had 14 points, tying her with Nwafili for the game high.
Last years offensive struggles carried over from last year, as the Jaspers started the game 2-20 from the field. As the offense sputtered, the Lady Jaspers defense kept them in the game. Even though they only scored 18 points on 23% shooting, Providence only scored 25 points on 37% shooting in the first half.
The Lady Jaspers showed a lot of heart and responded in the second half when they opened with a 16-6 run to take a one point lead. Nwafili, who scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half, hit back to back baskets to cut the lead to five. The Lady Jaspers were feeding off the crowd's energy and took the one point lead after Jenna Franciosa, freshman, hit a lay-up after executing a picture perfect cut to the basket.
It was the first lead of the night for the Lady Jaspers, and Franciosa's first basket as a Lady Jasper.
But, every time the Lady Jaspers had a glimpse a hope, and a chance to pull away, the Friars answered back.
The Lady Jaspers biggest lead would only be two points, as the Friar's and the Jaspers continued to go back and forth. However, with 5:25 to go in the game, the Friar's would take their final lead of the game when Kendria Holmes would knock down a three-pointer to give Providence College a 40-37 lead.
With 3:35 left in the game, and trailing 45-39, junior guard Amanda LoCascio, playing in her first game for the Green and White, knocked down a three-pointer to cut the Friar's lead to three. After both teams traded baskets, Nwafili hit two foul shots to make it 49-46 with 1:50 left. With 1:00 to go in the game, The Lady Jaspers had the ball and a chance to tie, but missed their opportunity.
During practice on Sunday, Coach Hill emphasized and preached discipline. She told her players "you let the game slip through your hands, don't let it happen again."
With a young team like the Lady Jaspers, these types of games will occur. But, with more time and maturity, the Lady Jaspers will learn to pull out these victories. They showed a lot of toughness, and even though the Lady Jaspers started the season with a lost, they demonstrated a great deal of promise for them to be optimistic of their first winning season since the 2002-2003 season.
The Lady Jaspers opened their season with Kelly Regan at center, Caitlin Flood, junior, and Aubrie Dellinger, junior, as the forwards, and Amanda LoCascio, junior, and Joann Nwafili as the guards.
They'll try to rebound as they face University of Buffalo on Saturday, November 18. The Lady Jaspers next home game will be the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 24 at 2:00.
Joann Nwafili, junior, proved why she was named Second Team pre-season All-MAAC, as she scored a team, and game high, 14 points. Her teammate, Kelly Regan, sophomore, also chipped in with nine points, and nearly had a double-double with nine rebounds.
Providence College guard Shauna Snyder also had 14 points, tying her with Nwafili for the game high.
Last years offensive struggles carried over from last year, as the Jaspers started the game 2-20 from the field. As the offense sputtered, the Lady Jaspers defense kept them in the game. Even though they only scored 18 points on 23% shooting, Providence only scored 25 points on 37% shooting in the first half.
The Lady Jaspers showed a lot of heart and responded in the second half when they opened with a 16-6 run to take a one point lead. Nwafili, who scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half, hit back to back baskets to cut the lead to five. The Lady Jaspers were feeding off the crowd's energy and took the one point lead after Jenna Franciosa, freshman, hit a lay-up after executing a picture perfect cut to the basket.
It was the first lead of the night for the Lady Jaspers, and Franciosa's first basket as a Lady Jasper.
But, every time the Lady Jaspers had a glimpse a hope, and a chance to pull away, the Friars answered back.
The Lady Jaspers biggest lead would only be two points, as the Friar's and the Jaspers continued to go back and forth. However, with 5:25 to go in the game, the Friar's would take their final lead of the game when Kendria Holmes would knock down a three-pointer to give Providence College a 40-37 lead.
With 3:35 left in the game, and trailing 45-39, junior guard Amanda LoCascio, playing in her first game for the Green and White, knocked down a three-pointer to cut the Friar's lead to three. After both teams traded baskets, Nwafili hit two foul shots to make it 49-46 with 1:50 left. With 1:00 to go in the game, The Lady Jaspers had the ball and a chance to tie, but missed their opportunity.
During practice on Sunday, Coach Hill emphasized and preached discipline. She told her players "you let the game slip through your hands, don't let it happen again."
With a young team like the Lady Jaspers, these types of games will occur. But, with more time and maturity, the Lady Jaspers will learn to pull out these victories. They showed a lot of toughness, and even though the Lady Jaspers started the season with a lost, they demonstrated a great deal of promise for them to be optimistic of their first winning season since the 2002-2003 season.
The Lady Jaspers opened their season with Kelly Regan at center, Caitlin Flood, junior, and Aubrie Dellinger, junior, as the forwards, and Amanda LoCascio, junior, and Joann Nwafili as the guards.
They'll try to rebound as they face University of Buffalo on Saturday, November 18. The Lady Jaspers next home game will be the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 24 at 2:00.