LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. ? Despite freshman guard Chris Smith's career-high 22 points, the Manhattan men's basketball team struggled at Rider (14-6, 7-2) this evening falling 93-80 to the Broncs. Junior guard Lamar Johnson exploded for 23 points off the bench going 7-8 from beyond the arc to get Rider past Manhattan (8-11, 2-7). Senior forward Jason Thompson, MAAC Preseason Player of the Year, also contributed 20 points in the winning effort.
The Jaspers jumped out to an early lead taking a 6-0 advantage with 18:11 remaining in the first half marking its largest of the contest. Rider responded piecing together a 17-3 run over the next five minutes thanks in part to a pair of treys from Johnson.
Manhattan answered with an 8-0 run capped off by red-shirt freshman Laurence Jolicoeur's jumper from the corner to regain a one point advantage. This proved to be the final Jasper lead of the contest
Jolicoeur finished with a career-high 18 points and six rebounds. He went 6-11 from the field and a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line.
On the ensuing possession, freshman guard Matt Johnson connected on a 3-pointer sparking a late Rider scoring surge to close out the half. The Broncs took a 47-34 edge into intermission.
Thompson warmed up in the second half going off for 14 points, seven of which came in the first two minutes. He shot an efficient 5-7 from the field over the final stanza helping to secure the Broncs second straight victory over Manhattan.
Freshman guard Nick Walsh posted 11 points coming off the Manhattan bench. It marked the second consecutive contest Walsh scored in double-figures.
Jamel Ferguson, a sophomore forward, delivered a solid all-around performance tallying eight points, nine rebounds and five assists. He equaled career-highs in both rebounding and assists.
The Broncs shot a blazing 70% (14-20) from beyond the arc and went 34-52 (65.4%) from the field. Manhattan was 43.9% (29-66) from the floor and 6-22 (27.3%) from 3-point territory.
Manhattan looks to snap its four game losing streak on Saturday versus league rival Loyola. It marks the Jaspers first home contest since Jan. 5. Tip off is slated for 4 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU.
