Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Darryl Crawford and Chris Smith led the way with 16 points apiece as Manhattan (11-9, 5-5 MAAC) earned a 65-60 victory over Fairfield (12-9, 5-5 MAAC) tonight in Riverdale. The Jaspers stifling defensive effort forced Fairfield to 32% shooting from the field and 27.8% from 3-point territory. With the win, Manhattan improved to 7-4 at home this season and moves into a four-way tie for fourth place in the MAAC.
“It was a competitive game, going down to the wire,” stated Jaspers head coach Barry Rohrssen. “We had some good spurts throughout the game, especially one to start the second half.”
Smith and Crawford led the Jaspers on an 8-0 surge to start the second stanza, breaking loose from a 25-25 halftime tie. Manhattan extended its lead to double-digits with Andrew Gabriel's tip in followed by a free-throw to polish off a 3-point play with 13:15 remaining in the contest. Gabriel and Smith grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.
The Jaspers led by as many as 13 midway through the second half when Antoine Pearson converted a lay-up with 10:45 to go. The bucket gave Manhattan a 45-32 advantage. Pearson finished with eight points.
Fairfield closed in on the Jaspers with a 21-9 run over the next six minutes to cut the Jaspers advantage to 54-53 with 4:38 remaining.
Junior forward Brandon Adams got to the free-throw line on the next two Manhattan possessions and converted 3-of-4 opportunities to regain a multiple possession lead. Pearson followed with a lay-up the next time down court, and then Manhattan sank its free-throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
Stag's point guard Jonathan Han and reserve Mike Evanovich led the team with 11 points. Han, a Preseason All-MAAC selection, was 2-for-12 from the field and 1-for-8 from beyond the arc. Fairfield center Ryan Olander added 10 points.
Manhattan shot 41.9% (18-43) from the floor and 46.7% (7-15) from downtown. Crawford converted 6-of-12 shot attempts.
The Jaspers host Niagara on Saturday evening at Draddy Gymnasium. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m.
