Riverdale, N.Y. (January 5, 2008)- Niagara gradually built up a double-digit lead in the first half and held off a late Manhattan rally to take a 96-86 MAAC win this afternoon at Draddy Gymnasium.
The Jaspers led by as many as six (10-4) early in the game, and led by five, 19-14, with 10:41 left in the first half before the Purple Eagles used a 7-2 run to knot the game at 21-21 9:05 before the break. Niagara scored the game's next six points to open up a six point lead and led by as many as 14 (51-37), taking a 54-43 lead into the locker room.
“We played a team with a lot of offensive firepower today,” noted head coach Barry Rohrssen. “They did a good job scoring and making timely shot as well as their free throws. In the game of basketball, it's dangerous to try and play a game and win if you trade baskets. You have to guard people and stop people.”
Niagara led by as many as 19 (79-60) in the second half before Manhattan used a 20-9 run, capped by a Chris Smith three pointer to cut the lead to eight, 88-80, with 1:37 remaining. The Purple Eagles converted 8-9 from the line over the final 38 seconds to seal the victory.
Smith paced the Manhattan offense with 21 points, his best outing as a collegian. Fellow freshmen Rashad Green (14 points, eight rebounds) and Andrew Gabriel (13 points, team-high nine rebounds) also reached double-figures in scoring. Sophomore Antoine Pearson tallied 16 points.
Manhattan gets back into action on Monday, January 7, traveling to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. to take on the Marist College Red Foxes in a MAAC contest. The game is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.
