Dec. 30, 2005

Box Score

RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Villanova (8-3) closed the first half with a big run and then put some distance between themselves and host Manhattan (4-6) early in the second half of a 66-51 victory on Friday afternoon at Draddy Gymnasium.

The Wildcats led 36-31 with 14:18 remaining in the game but then surged on a 10-2 run to increase the margin to 46-33 with 11:10 left. Senior forward Liad Suez-Karni (Even-Yehuda, Israel) drained consecutive three-pointers during the run and the Jaspers never got closer than nine points the rest of the way.

In the opening period, Villanova outscored Manhattan 23-9 over the final 12 minutes to take a 31-23 lead at the intermission. The Jaspers led 14-8 seven minutes into the game but would never regain the lead following the Wildcats run to close the half.

Senior guard Jenna Viani (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) led all scorers with a career-high 24 points. She knocked down 6-of-8 shots from the floor, including 5-of-7 from long range, and sank 7-of-7 free throw attempts. Viani also dished out five assists, collected three rebounds and had a block. Also in double figures for Villanova was senior guard Betsy McManus (Pearl River, N.Y.), who tallied 12 points thanks in part to a pair of three-pointers and 4-of-4 free-throw shooting. The Wildcats were a perfect 11-of-11 from the charity stripe, with Viani and McManus accounting for all 11 tries.

After struggling from the floor in their last two games, the Wildcats broke out with 51 percent shooting for the contest, including 11-of-22 accuracy from three-point range. Viani, McManus, Suez and redshirt freshman guard Siobhan O'Connor (West Chester, Pa.) all drained at least two three-pointers for the game.

Caitlin Flood led the Jaspers with 17 points. Manhattan turned the ball over just nine times, compared to 16 giveaways by Villanova. The Wildcats outrebounded their hosts 31-27.

The Wildcats will play their final non-conference game of the regular season on Tuesday night when they host Fairfield at 7:30 p.m. from The Pavilion. Villanova is 5-0 all-time against the Stags, including a 72-57 victory in Fairfield last season.