Preview: Manhattan Lady Jaspers at Sacred Heart Pioneers

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Interstat) — The Sacred Heart women’s basketball team looks to move above .500 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play when it hosts the Manhattan Lady Jaspers on Thursday night.

The Pioneers (10-10) enter the contest having won four of their last five games, most recently a 70-65 road victory at Niagara on Saturday. Forward Amelia Wood has been pivotal, averaging a double-double over her last three games, including a 17-point, 13-rebound performance against Niagara.

Manhattan (5-14) seeks to halt a two-game skid after a 74-56 home loss to Quinnipiac on Saturday. The Lady Jaspers have shown flashes, winning four of five games earlier this month, but have struggled with consistency.

The matchup features two of the conference’s standout forwards. Sacred Heart’s Wood, a versatile junior, is averaging 16.4 points and 7.8 rebounds over her last eight contests. She provides a constant interior threat for the Pioneers’ offense.

For Manhattan, senior Colette Mulderig has been a bright spot during a difficult season. She is coming off a 21-point effort against Quinnipiac and has scored in double figures in six of her last eight games, including a 24-point outing at Niagara on Jan. 10 and a 14-point, 15-rebound double-double at Saint Peter’s on New Year’s Day. Containing Mulderig will be a primary focus for the Sacred Heart defense.

Sacred Heart won the first meeting this season, 64-58, in overtime on Dec. 19 in Riverdale, New York. Wood led all scorers with 19 points in that victory.

The Pioneers have found success at home this season, going 6-3 at the Pitt Center. Manhattan is 2-8 on the road. A win would give Sacred Heart momentum heading into a Saturday home matchup against first-place Fairfield. Manhattan continues its road trip at Rider on Feb. 5.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST at the William H. Pitt Center.