Kingston, R.I. (December 6, 2005)-
Jeff Xavier scored 12 of his career-high 25 points in a 4:28 span, including nine straight, to pull Manhattan even after trailing by 10, but the Jaspers could not take the lead, falling, 78-69, to Rhode Island tonight at the Ryan Center on the URI campus. Manhattan falls to 0-4 on the season, while the Rams improve to 5-1, as the Jaspers played their fourth straight game versus an opponent from a bigger conference.
Trailing, 59-49, with 8:19 left in the game, Xavier exploded, connecting on two consecutive three pointers before converting a conventional three point play to pull the Jaspers within one, 59-59, with 5:20 to play. After Jamaal Wise made one of two from the free throw line,
CJ Anderson's short jumper knotted the score at 60-60. Rhode Island answered with a three ball from Jimmy Baron, but Xavier, a Pawtucket, R.I. native, playing in front of over 20 friends and family members, nailed a long three to again pull the Jaspers even, 63-63, with 3:51 left in the game.
Rhode Island would answer with a 10-3 run to take a seven point lead, 73-66, with 28 second left and would emerge with the hard fought victory.
The Rams opened the game with an 8-1 run, and led by nine, 12-3, before
Devon Austin,
Jason Wingate, and
CJ Anderson all connected on three pointers to even the score at 12-12, with 13:52 remaining. Anderson's three pointer, which came with one tick left on the shot clock, was the first of his career.
The rest of the first half was nip and tuck, with three ties and two lead changes, as the Rams went into the break with a two point lead, 38-36.
Anderson joined Xavier as the only Jaspers in double figures, scoring 22 points and adding team-highs with eight rebounds and four assists. Manhattan shot a season-best 80.0% from the line, converting 20-25 attempts, but lost the battle of the boards, 37-24.
Will Daniels matched Xavier's 25 points to share the game-high, adding a game-high 10 rebounds for the double-double.
Manhattan gets back in action on Friday, December 9, returning to the friendly confines of Draddy Gym to open up MAAC play against Marist. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.
