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Women's Basketball Canisius College Athletics

Road Trip Blog: Manhattan/Fairfield

Posted Sunday at 5:09 p.m.
  • We're on some winding road in the middle of Connecticut (I think). No easy way to get back to the highway to head back to Buffalo. Couple of options and Dan chose this one. Six and one half-dozen to another.
  • Anyway, the Griffs just couldn't stop Taryn Johnson today. She is a really tough matchup as she is probably the most athletic post player in the MAAC. Johnson even made 75 percent of her free throws, about 15 percent higher than normal.
  • Canisius continues to struggle with getting enough rebounds and not making bad decisions on the offensive end. They held Fairfield to a pretty low shooting percentage today, but just aren't playing good basketball right now.
  • The only good thing is that the MAAC standings are pretty jumbled right now. Canisius is in a six-way tie for fifth place at 2-4. There is still two-thirds of the MAAC schedule left, but it's interesting that the league is so tighly bunched.
  • The Griffs have a couple of days to get ready for their rival on Thursday night. If you can't make it to the doubleheader, then it will be on ESPN3.com. If you have Verizon FIOS, Comcast or Time Warner, I believe you can watch online. 
Posted Sunday at 12:42 p.m.
  • Apparently it is normally cold inside here in the gym and hot outside the gym near the bathrooms and media room. I think everyone is glad for that.
Posted Sunday at 12:05 p.m.
  • We're courtside here at Alumni Hall for the Griffs and the Stags. Contrary to what I wrote yesterday, it is actually comfortable in Alumni Hall temperature-wise. At least in the main gym. If you step outside the main gym, it is frosty.
  • Fairfield features the same formula we have seen from them the past few years under Joe Frager. They don't go very deep in the rotation. They ride the top players, this year it is two seniors with Desiree Pina and Taryn Johnson. They have a ton of quick-hitters. It is a team that doesn't generally run a straight offense, but a ton of plays.
  • Fairfield won't get out and run with you. They generally play at their tempo. It's generally a straight man-to-man defense with little pressure. They are very well coached and are tough to beat, especially in Alumni Hall.
  • We'll see how the Griffs respond after Friday's game. It's always a battle (at least for me) of do you just turn the page or do you let it sit in your stomach a little bit. Everyone is different in how they deal with losses and whatnot. 
Posted Sunday at 10:25 a.m.
  • The room doors at this hotel are very light.
  • Pregame was the buffet in the restaurant here at the Trumbull Marriott. It always very good. The cinnamon French Toast as well as the fresh fruit were the highlights.
  • A jam-packed day of Canisius athletics with both basketball teams and a hockey game. It's been a busy weekend on GoGriffs.com
Posted Saturday at 7:22 p.m.
  • The Griffs had an early dinner here in Connecticut. A 5:30 p.m. dinner isn't very typical for when we're on the road, but with a 12:30 practice, it fit right in to the itinerary.
  • We ate at a local Italian chain (Vazzy's). It was a family style meal with salad (featuring a ton of croutons), tasty flatbread, chicken with a good sauce and some pasta.
  • The team then had some birthday cake for the surprised Jen Lennox, who turns 20 today.
  • The Griffs are down watching film in a few minutes. 
  • Not as cold here (33 degrees) as I hear it is back in Buffalo (10 degrees!)
Posted Saturday at 1:13 p.m.
  • We're back on the blog after having some technical difficulties earlier. Was having some trouble with the Verizon FiveSpot, but after doing some research on my phone, we're back to operational.
  • The team had breakfast at a local diner. The staff seemed very excited to see us, welcoming the team at our entrance and then clapping for the girls as they left. They even had the team sign a menu. Pretty neat.
  • Diners are usually fun experiences and this was no different. The staff is generally nice. The service is fast. Everyone is friendly.
  • The team is at practice over at Alumni Hall, where I'm guessing it's quite chilly. It's never warm in that gym.
  • Notes for Sunday's game are about done. They should be posted within the hour.
Posted Friday at 10:16 p.m.
  • The Griffs had dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. The salad bar was a little downsized from the past. Still good, but not as good as it used to be.
  • Ashley Gomez went down a dangerous path tonight. She was having a conversation with Coach Zeh and somehow she asked what his age is and then walked away. On her way back, he gave the answer and she said "That's it?" 
  • Some of the girls noticed the waitress didn't ask if they wanted some appetizer before taking drink orders. An ad on the table said if the waitress didn't ask, the appetizer was free. I think Braun spearheaded that movement.
  • Our rooms have some sweet LG HD TVs. They appear to be either 32 or 36 inches. Great picture and a decent amount of HD channels.
  • Coach Zeh has probably watched this commercial 10 times throughout the trip and laughed every time.
Posted Friday at 4:39 p.m.
  • The Griffs have arrived at their destination for the next two days - the Trumbull Marriott.
  • I thought it was getting colder when we got back on the bus in Tarrytown. When we got off the bus here in Trumbull, it is definitely colder than it was a few hours ago.
Posted Friday at 1:30 p.m.
  • Not much to say after that one, except thankfully that only counts as one loss. Manhattan came out on fire, ignited by a 3-pointer that beat the shot clock buzzer from Monica Roeder in the opening minutes of the game. The Jaspers made six of their first seven 3-pointers and could do no wrong offensively in the first half.
  • Canisius continues to struggle with coming out and playing well at the beginning of conference games, especially on the road. That is something that needs to get turned around quickly.
  • Another chance comes in 48 hours. Fairfield is a different style from Manhattan. They play the slowest pace in the lead and don't do anything too crazy on defense. They are a very solid team, winning their first four MAAC games.
  • Back to the hotel to pack up and head to the Trumbull Marriott. 
Posted Friday at 10:15 a.m.
  • We're courtside here at the Draddy Gymnasium for the Griffs and the Jaspers. A second straight Kid's Day game for the Griffs. They have been in that routine of having a couple of games and practices at much earlier times. Coaches always like to have some experience at that throughout the season because there is a decent chance you can play morning games at the MAAC Tournament.
  • I put up a photo of the new video board on the Twitter page. They also have a new track inside here at the Draddy.
  • Manhattan is the most unique matchup in the MAAC. Even more than Saint Peter's in my opinion. The Jaspers play a 1-3-1 zone on defense. I'm not sure if they are extending it out to about three-quarters court this year, but they have in the past. Abby Wentworth was absolutely relentless at the top of the zone last year.
  • Speaking of last year, Canisius really struggled against the Jaspers last year, playing them twice in about 10 days. It will be interesting to see how they can adjust. I felt in the second half of the game here in Manhattan last year, the Griffs played much better. 
  • Some keys to watch for: not to panic when the traps come, penetrate into the gaps, get the ball into the high post area, and most importantly (and simply) knock down shots. If a team can move the ball against the 1-3-1, then they will get open looks. 
Posted Thursday at 11 p.m.
  • The Griffs are back at the hotel after a very impressive performance of Wicked. The wicked witch sounded like a recording, which means she was amazing.
  • Dan the bus driver fit through some tight spaces, which always happens. He was impressive as well.
  • JJ Williams and Marie Warner were at the show. They will also be at the game tomorrow. Always good to see former players come back.
  • Time for bed. Kid's Day games are good prep for potential MAAC Tournament tipoffs.
Posted Thursday at 2:11 p.m.
  • The Canisius College women's basketball has arrived on its destination for the evening — the Sheraton Tarrytown, a staple on the hotel circuit during conference season. I wouldn't be surprised if we stay here next weekend on the trip to Iona. 
  • The Griffs had a simple flight down to JFK this morning. It was warm and rainy in Buffalo and a little warm and rainy in NYC.
  • One of the conversations in the airport among the team this morning was reminiscing about haircuts when they were younger and also how their parents/siblings would do their hair in the morning. These are conversations you don't hear when traveling with a men's team.
  • The team is watching film at 3 p.m. Then it's an early dinner at 5 p.m. before heading back into NYC to see Wicked on Broadway. It's the third time in the last four years the team has gone to see a show. In 2008-09 it was Mamma Mia. Last year it was Lion King.
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Players Mentioned

Ashley Gomez

#1 Ashley Gomez

G
5' 7"
Freshman
Jen Lennox

#32 Jen Lennox

F
6' 3"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Ashley Gomez

#1 Ashley Gomez

5' 7"
Freshman
G
Jen Lennox

#32 Jen Lennox

6' 3"
Sophomore
F