Riverdale, N.Y. (January 13, 2006)- Manhattan's three sophomore starters,
CJ Anderson,
Arturo Dubois, and
Jeff Xavier, combined for 71 points as the Jaspers extended their win streak to nine with an, 87-81, win over Rider tonight at Draddy Gym. The win ups Manhattan's record to 9-4, 5-0 in MAAC play, while the Broncs fall to 4-9, 0-5 in MAAC play.
The Broncs controlled the tempo early, as their packed in zone frustrated the Jaspers. Rider took advantage, leading from the early going and pushing its lead to as many as eight, 20-12, with 9:59 left in the opening stanza. At that point, Manhattan awoke from its early slumber, scoring the game's next 10 points to take a two point lead, 22-20, with 8:03 left before the break. The two sides played even the rest of the half, as the teams went into the locker rooms knotted at 31-31.
Rider and Manhattan traded baskets for the first five minutes of the second stanza, until the Jaspers began to impose their will on the game. With the score tied at 42 all with 15:01 left in the game, Manhattan scored 17 of the next 22 points to open up a 12 point lead, 59-47, with 10:18 left in the game. The Jaspers would not let the lead dip below four points the rest of the way, and went 8-8 from the line over the last 1:37 to lock up their ninth straight win, the third longest win streak under Bobby Gonzalez.
Xavier led all scorers with a game-high and career-high tying 25 points, adding a career-high eight assists, a career-high tying six steals, while pulling down four rebounds. Dubois added a game-high nine boards to his 23 points, while Anderson also scored 23.
Jason Thompson and Edwin Muniz each scored 20 points to pace Rider.
Manhattan returns to action on Sunday, January 15, hosting MAAC foe Siena at 2:00 p.m. at Draddy Gym. The game will be televised live on RNN.
