Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Manhattan used a season-high 20 points from point guard Antoine Pearson and 13 more from senior Devon Austin en route to a 73-67 victory over Marist (6-11, 2-3 MAAC) this evening at Draddy Gymnasium. Junior guard Darryl Crawford just missed a double-double, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds in Manhattan's (9-6, 3-2 MAAC) second consecutive league victory.
“Obviously, it was a game that brought some excitement into the building,” stated head coach Barry Rohrssen. “Proud of our guys for how hard they played and the way they competed.”
The Jaspers carried a 43-33 advantage into intermission in a half that featured four ties and eight lead changes. Manhattan's double digit halftime lead marked its largest of the contest.
The Red Foxes battled back from its deficit and eventually tied the game at 67-67 with 2:47 remaining. Marist shot a blazing 73% from the field over the first 17 minutes of the second stanza. Red-shirt senior Ryan Schneider led all scorers with 21 points, and went 5-for-10 from downtown.
At the 1:13 mark, Austin responded with the Jaspers go ahead bucket. Pearson drove the left side, drew a defender and dished the ball to Austin for a midrange jumper.
Austin came up big defensively on the next possession when he blocked R.J. Hall following a Marist timeout with 40 seconds to go. The White Plains native rejected two shots and moved into a tie with Jason Benton '04 (91) for fifth place on the programs all-time blocks chart.
Pearson converted four free-throws in the last 18 seconds to secure the victory. He was 8-for-9 from the charity stripe.
Manhattan sophomore Chris Smith had seven points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Senior Herve Banogle chipped in nine points and eight rebounds.
The Jaspers outrebounded Marist 41-23. Manhattan scored 30 of its points in the paint, and 20 from second chance opportunities.
Manhattan returns to action Sunday versus Siena. Tip off will immediately follow the Lady Jaspers contest versus Rider which begins at 2 p.m.
