Don’t look now, but the Stags’ women’s basketball team is starting to play like a contender.

With back to back buzzer-beating thrillers by two of their senior captains, the Stags have climbed all the way to the .500 mark in MAAC play.

In what could have been promoted as the undercard to the men’s game against Niagara on Saturday afternoon, Cathy Dash ignited a wild celebration on the court and in the stands when she banked home the game winner to defeat Siena 55-54.

Last Thursday, the Stags beat Manhattan when Janelle McManus hit the game winner with under three seconds to play. They have won five out of their last seven, and are 7-7 in the league, just a game out of fourth place.

McManus (13.5 ppg) leads the Stags in scoring, followd by Dash (11.4), Candice Lindsay (9.4, Sabra Wrice (6.9) and Meka Werts (6.4)

With third place Niagara (9-5) coming to town on Saturday (1:00, Harbor Yard, WVOF FM 88.5), the Stags have a chance to shake up the playoff picture.

The top four teams in the league standings receive a bye in the first round of the MAAC tournament, while the top seed gets a double-bye to the semifinals.

At week’s end, defending champion Marist (11-3) was tied atop the league standings with Canisius, followed by Niagara, Siena (8-6), and the Stags.

Saturday’s game will be followed by the men’s team’s Bracket Buster game against Cal State Northridge. Tickets are valid for both games, as they were last Saturday.

The Stags, who have yet to own a winning record in the league this year, have the following games remaining on their schedule: Canisius (Monday, 1:00, Harbor Yard); at Iona (Wednesday, 7:30) and Loyola (Feb. 26, 6:00, Harbor Yard).

Monday’s game will kick off a triple header of Presidents’ Day basketball at the Arena.

After the Stags-Canisius game, the Iona and Marist men will face off, followed by the Stags’ men against St. Peter’s.

About The Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.