Albany. N.Y. (February 22, 2007)- Siena used a big second half run to open up a close game on its way to a 78-61 win over Manhattan tonight at the Times Union Center. Manhattan committed a season-low three turnovers, but it was not enough to defeat the Saints.
Manhattan scored the first five points of the game, beginning with a three pointer from the top of the key by Victor Jackson, who was making his first collegiate start. The Saints would respond with 11 straight points to take an 11-5 lead with 13:55 left in the opening stanza. The Jaspers would score the next three points to cut the lead to three, and still trailed by three, 17-14, with 7:43 left before the break before Siena used a 15-4 run to open up a 14 point, 32-18, lead 1:34 before halftime. Patrick Bouli would tally a three pointer and a tip-in at the first half buzzer to cut the lead to nine, 32-23, as the two teams headed into the locker rooms.
Manhattan was able to keep its deficit at 10 or less in the early portion of the second half, and trailed by six, 46-40, following a Darryl Crawford jumper with 13:03 to play before the Saints embarked on a 22-4 run to push the lead to 24 points, 68-44, with 6:38 left in the game. The Jaspers would get no closer than 16 the rest of the way.
Antoine Pearson led all scorers with a game-high 20 points, while Crawford added 17. Bouli chipped in with nine points and game- and career-high 13 rebounds.
Michael Haddix paced Siena with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Manhattan concludes the regular season on Sunday, February 25, hosting local and MAAC rival Iona College at 3:00 p.m. in a game that will be televised on MSG as part of the MAAC Television package. Seniors Guy Ngarndi and Will Sabo will be honored prior to the game. The MSG Network's Aeropostale College Basketball Weekly will also broadcast live from Draddy Gym, with former Manhattan head coach Steve Lappas serving as part of the broadcast team.
