Bronx, N.Y. (November 30, 2006)- In the 99th annual Battle of the Bronx game between boro-rivals Manhattan College and Fordham University, Fordham gradually pulled away in the second half to post a 70-66 win tonight at Rose Hill Gym on the Rams' campus. Guy Ngarndi paced Manhattan with a career-high matching 16 points, adding nine rebounds.
After the teams traded two baskets apiece to begin the game, Fordham used a 12-0 run to open up a 16-4 lead with 14:04 left in the opening stanza. But Manhattan would settle down after a frenetic start, gradually whittling away at the lead, and ending the half on a 21-13 run to bring the Jaspers within two points, 30-28, at the half.
Manhattan would extend the run to 30-15 over the fist five minutes of the second half to take its largest lead of the game, 37-32, with 14:29 left on the clock. With the Jaspers still leading by five, 41-36, with 13:11 remaining, the Rams would respond with an 11-2 run of their own to take a four point lead, 47-43, with 8:39 left in the game. Fordham would gradually expand the lead by converting at the free throw line, before a late Manhattan surge provided the final margin.
Joining Ngarndi in double-figures were Jamel Ferguson (15 points, seven rebounds), Arturo Dubois (14 points, seven rebounds), and Darryl Crawford (11 points). Freshman Patrick Bouli pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.
Fordham's Brenton Butler was named the Mike Cohen MVP after totaling a game-high 18 points.
Manhattan returns to the hardwood on Saturday, December 2, traveling to Memphis, Tenn. to take on the nationally ranked University of Memphis, with tip-off slated for 1:00 p.m. ET.
