Preview of Thursday’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Game NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (Interstat) — A surging Manhattan team seeks to continue its late-season turnaround and avenge an earlier loss when it visits Iona in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Hynes Center. The Lady Jaspers (9-18, 7-11 MAAC) enter on a three-game winning streak, their longest of the season, including an 82-67 victory over Merrimack on Saturday. They will face a Gaels squad (18-10, 13-5) that has won four of its last five and sits near the top of the conference standings. Manhattan’s recent success has been fueled by the explosive scoring of junior guard Brianna Davis. Over her last five games, Davis is averaging 21.4 points, including a 28-point performance against Merrimack and another 28-point outing against Canisius on Feb. 14. She scored 20 points in the first meeting with Iona this season. Iona counters with its own standout in forward Zoey Ward, who is coming off a dominant 29-point, 15-rebound effort in a 66-55 win at Saint Peter’s on Saturday. Ward was instrumental in the Gaels’ 65-51 home victory over Manhattan on Jan. 31, recording a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. The Jan. 31 matchup saw Iona use a strong defensive performance to pull away in the second half, holding Manhattan to 30.2% shooting from the field. The Lady Jaspers will need more offensive support around Davis, who was the only player to reach double figures for them in that contest. Iona has been strong at home in MAAC play, while Manhattan has shown improved form on the road recently, including an overtime win at Marist on Feb. 19. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. The game is a critical late-season conference matchup for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming MAAC tournament.