Hempstead, N.Y. (November 17, 2007)- After posting strong shooting efforts over its first two games of the season, Manhattan shot 33.8% from the field and converted just 6-27 from behind the arc, but a strong defensive effort still allowed the Jaspers a chance to win the game before dropping a 73-71 overtime decision to Hofstra University this afternoon at the Mack Sports Complex.
“This was a good game for this early in the season,” stated head coach Barry Rohrssen. “I am proud of how hard our guys played from the start of the game. Unfortunately, we did not have a successful shooting day.”
The teams played evenly in the early going, until the Pride used an 8-0 run to open up a 10 point, 27-17, lead with 5:11 left in the opening stanza. But the Jaspers showed resilience, as Darryl Crawford hit an off-balance jumper and Devon Austin connected on a three pointer on the next two Manhattan possessions to cut the deficit in half, and two Antoine Pearson free throws with nine seconds left before the break brought the Jaspers to within three points, 33-30, at the half.
Hofstra led by four, 37-33, with 15:23 left in the game before the Manhattan offense began to hit its stride. Brandon Adams kick started a 16-7 surge with two free throws to give the Jaspers their largest lead of the game, 49-44, with 8:13 to play. The Pride answered with five straight points to knot the score at 49-49 with 6:38 to play, setting up a hotly contested conclusion to the game.
Over the next five minutes the game saw three ties and six lead changes, leaving the score tied at 59-59 with 1:14 to play in regulation. Charles Jenkins connected to two free throws with 44 ticks left to give Hofstra a two point lead, and Devon Austin tipped in the game-tying basket with 1.1 remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime.
The teams traded baskets in the overtime session, and Manhattan trailed by just two, 71-69, with five seconds left, but Jenkins was able to come up with a steal, and sank both free throws to put the game out of reach.
“This was a great game for New York City,” concluded Rohrssen. “If we can learn from this it will make us a stronger team.”
Pearson paced the Manhattan offense with 19 points. Brandon Adams added 10 points and a game- and career-high 10 rebounds. Darryl Crawford chipped in with 14 points, while Austin tallied 10 points and seven rebounds. Patrick Bouli recorded a game-high six assists.
Antoine Agudio led Hofstra with a game-high 30 points.
Manhattan won the battle of the boards, holding a 40-37 advantage on the glass, including a 17-7 edge on the offensive side, with Adams tallying seven offensive rebounds and Austin pulling down six.
The Jaspers also forced 17 Pride turnovers, with Bouli recording five steals.
Manhattan gets back in action on Wednesday, November 21, hosting Eastern Michigan University at Draddy Gym in the Jaspers' home opener. The game is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m.
