Box Score
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - The Manhattan men's basketball team struggled shooting the ball at Hofstra (6-3) on Wednesday falling 44-39 in the Mack Sports Complex. Jasper guards Patrick Bouli and Rico Pickett each scored 10 points in the second loss to a Colonial Athletic Association member this season. Pride forward Halil Kanacevic posted a double-double finishing with game-highs 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Manhattan (5-4) scored the first five points of the game, but then suffered from a scoring drought which it could not shake off for 11 minutes. While the Jaspers struggled, Hofstra rallied for 19 unanswered points to take its largest advantage (14) of the game with 8:14 to go in the half.
The Jaspers were fortunate for Hofstra's 12 turnovers in the first half to keep the game close at the break. Manhattan strung together four field goals in the final 2:30, with the last two buckets coming from Antoine Pearson, to pull within 23-18 at intermission.
Manhattan shot 6-for-30 (20%) from the field in the first 20 minutes of action. It was the Jaspers lowest shooting performance in a half since Jan. 24, 2009 at Madison Square Garden when they shot 17% versus Iona.
Manhattan's active defense, which forced seven steals, kept the contest in balance allowing for one last surge. The Jaspers generated a 7-0 run over a three minute span with just under 10 minutes remaining to pull within two points. Bouli began the rally with four consecutive free-throws and Pickett capped it with a layup to cut the deficit to 36-34 with 7:03 left. Bouli sank all seven of his free-throw attempts in the game.
Kanacevic answered by scoring the next five points to rebuild a 41-34 advantage at 2:29 to help Hofstra hold on to the finish. The Staten Island native shot 5-for-12 from the field and had three blocks. Teammate Greg Washington added another five blocks to the scoresheet.
The Jaspers converted 12-of-56 (21.4%) shot attempts in the game, including 2-for-14 from beyond the arc. Hofstra's shooting percentage wasn't much better as the Pride shot 18-for-52 (34.6%).
Manhattan was outrebounded 51-38. Pickett led the Jaspers with seven boards. Senior guard Darryl Crawford scored six points and grabbed six rebounds. Pearson also added six points and five rebounds.
Manhattan is back in action on Saturday when the Jaspers travel to Baltimore for its match up with Morgan State. Tip off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
