Overtime Win Just What FDU Needed
by Ray Floriani
TEANECK, N.J. – There are situations where overtime is dreaded or simply an unavoidable occurrence. For the Fairleigh Dickinson University women’s team the five-minute extra session on Saturday was a welcomed opportunity. FDU defeated Manhattan 60-59 in an OT thriller at the Rothman Center.
“It’s a very good win,” FDU coach Peter Cinella said afterward. “It’s a quality win against a MAAC school. We kept battling back the whole way.”
FDU kept within striking distance for the duration of regulation. When Manhattan had a seven-point lead with four minutes remaining, it appeared the Lady Jaspers were in the driver’s seat and would seal the victory. Down the stretch, FDU rode the inside talents of sophomore Christy Altamarino and senior Jennifer Walking.
FDU rallied to tie at 50 with two minutes remaining. The score was tied with seconds reaming and Manhattan with the ball. Leading scorer Caitlin Flood stepped on the line on a drive with two seconds to go. FDU regained possession and couldn’t score.
In overtime FDU built a four-point lead and had momentum before Manhattan ran off five straight to regain the lead. On their final possession with under a minute left, Altamarino scored on a post move. The final seconds were tense but a twelve-footer by Manhattan at the buzzer was decidedly off the mark.
“We focused on defense today but we always stress it,” Cinella said. “Defense helped us get the win.”
Notes
- Cinella replaced Sandy Gordon, whose contract was not renewed last spring. The new FDU mentor is in his first year in Division I but does bring a wealth of experience with him. Cinella was 291-130 in fourteen years as women’s mentor at American International College in Springfield, Mass. During his tenure AIC went to the Division II NCAA Tournament nine times. He is AIC’s winningest coach in the women’s program and has two Elite Eight and a championship game (2006) appearance on his resume.
- A quick look at this year’s edition of the Lady Knights reveals a bounce in their step, especially on the defensive end as Cinella noted it is an emphasis. FDU will zone, go man, whatever depending on the opposition. Opponents entered the Manhattan game with a season field goal percentage mark of 40 percent, and Manhattan shot 29 percent. Turnovers are a problem as the Lady Knights committed 24 against their MAAC opponents.
- The three-pointers were the key – not field goals beyond the arc, but two players with number 3 and 33. Christy Altamirano (3), a sophomore forward, and Jennifer Walkling (33), a senior forward/center, led the FDU surge with several key baskets and/or assists down the stretch. “They are similar players,” Cinella said. “Both can post up strong or face up and hit a seventeen-footer. They were effective inside and Walkling especially was one we went to inside frequently late in the game.”
Altamarino had 11 points, 13 boards and 4 assists in the contest while Walkling added 24 points and 7 rebounds. Caitlin Flood, one of the MAAC’s best scorers, led the Lady Jaspers with 18 points. Flood was 3 of 11 from the floor but got to the line (12 for 14). FDU won the rebounding battle 50-37. - Cinella doesn’t want to get into the practice of comparing teams by reference of the same opposition but he did make an interesting point. “In November Manhattan lost at Seton Hall on a forty-footer at the buzzer,” he said. “That same month we went in and lost at Seton Hall by forty (actually 73-37).”
As the FDU coach noted, it shows the progress his team has made in a short time. FDU improved to 3-6 while Manhattan, off to a relatively good start, is 6-4. - The FDU men faced Stony Brook in the second game. While the women played, FDU coaches Tom Green, Jared Stephens and Damari Ridick watched a good part of the second half. Following the game Ridick was accompanying the men’s players on the floor for warm-ups and personally congratulated the women’s players and coaches as they walked past to their locker room. It doesn’t sound important, but there are schools where the women’s and men’s programs are almost in conflict or competition with each other.
- Cinella, a avid Yankee fan, had a parting note,” I hope (the Yankees) don’t trade Phil Hughes. Unless we can get (Johan) Santana.”
