Boston, Mass. (December 1, 2007)- Manhattan stifled the Boston University offense for long stretches to begin each half as the Jaspers improved to 4-3 on the season with a 72-65 win over the America East Preseason favorite this afternoon at Case Gym.
"Obviously, its always good to get a win in a tough environment against a good program," noted head coach Barry Rohrssen. "We had some guys step up tonight and make good contributions for us across the board."
Manhattan held the Terries scoreless over the first 7:29 of the game, and allowed just three points over the game's initial 9:32. That strong defensive effort enabled the Jaspers to open up a 14 point, 19-5, lead with 7:44 left in the opening stanza. Manhattan still held a double-digit lead with under four minutes to play in the first half before the Boston University offense got into a rhythm, using a 15-4 run, with 13 of the 15 points coming from Carlos Strong, to pull within two, 28-26, with 30 seconds left in the half, but an Antoine Pearson lay-up with under 10 second remaining before the break sent the Jaspers into the locker room with a 30-26 lead.
The second half began much like the first, as Manhattan limited the Terriers to just one made field goal over the first 9:18 of the second half to regain a double-digit lead, as a Patrick Bouli three pointer capped off a 17-5 run to begin the half, giving the Jaspers a 47-31 lead. After a Corey Lowe three pointer, Devon Austin scored Manhattan's next seven points to push the lead to 17, 54-27, with 8:27 to play. The Jaspers did not allow the lead to dip below seven points until a Lowe three pointer with four ticks left in the game.
Rashad Green posted his best all around game as a collegian, tallying team-highs of 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three blocks, adding one steal in 32 minutes of action. Austin and Jamel Ferguson each added 13 points, while Bouli chipped in with 12 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Pearson's 10 points gave Manhattan five players in double-figures.
Strong led all scorers with 25 points, with Lowe adding 23. No other Terrier tallied more than seven points.
The Jaspers won the battle of the boards, 41-36, the fourth time this season Manhattan has recorded 40 or more rebounds.
The Jaspers get back in action on Friday, December 7, hosting Saint Peter's College at Draddy Gym in the MAAC opener. The game is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m.