News Release

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Kim Reznicek's jumper with nine seconds left capped a game-ending 9-2 run and helped the Valiants snap their six-game losing streak with a 70-69 win over Centenary (N.J.) Saturday night at Hackettstown High School in Hackettstown, N.J.

Down as many as nine points in the second half, Manhattanville trailed 67-61 with just 3:07 left but the Valiants would score the next seven points, capped by a Reznicek jumper at 1:25 to put her team in front 68-67. After Stephanie Roberts answered to put the Cylcones back in front, Reznicek knocked in the winner and freshman Nina Johnson stole the ball from Roberts in the waning seconds to seal the win.

The Valiants won for the first time since a 66-49 win over Merchant Marine back on January 10. During the losing streak, Manhattanville fell only twice by double-figures but could not pull out a close victory before Saturday.

“It was nice to see our team put two halves together,” Head Coach Candice Brown said. “We played with confidence and composure and matched Centenary’s intensity from the start.”

Reznicek finished with 12 points, 10 in the second half, but it was Johnson who led the way statistically. In 29 minutes, Johnson finished with 14 points and a season-high 17 rebounds, her third double-double of the year and second in as many games. Sophomore guard Olivia Nastasi matched Johnson with her first career double-double, scoring 15 points and pulling down a career-high 11 boards.

Manhattanville’s bench also played a big role in the win, with Theresa McCabe scoring 10 points in 21 minutes. Janice Kane played 36 minutes off the Valiant bench and poured in nine points.

“Nina and Olivia did a nice job and we did well collectively boxing out all night,” Brown said. “We kept out composure, kept chipping away and we got the win.”

The Valiants out-rebounded Centenary (N.J.) 45-41 in the game despite the Cyclones reeling in 19 offensive boards. Manhattanville shot 47.4% from the field, their second best night of the year, and held Centenary (N.J.) to just 33.3% from the floor.

Jessa Jones led all scorers with 22 points, adding 13 rebounds for the Cyclones (11-5, 5-5 Skyline) in a losing cause. Kristen Panariello added 21 points on 3-of-6 shooting from three-point range.

The Valiants (6-14, 4-7 Skyline) will be back in action Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. on the road at Saint Joseph’s (L.I.). In the first -meeting between the teams earlier this year, the Valiants rolled to a 77-58 win.