Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y.- All streaks came to an end at Draddy Gymnasium on Monday afternoon with the Jaspers 51-49 victory over Niagara (4-15, 1-6 MAAC). Manhattan used a game-high 14 points from George Beamon and 10 points from Demetrius Jemison as the Jaspers brought a 15-game skid to an end since earning its last victory on Nov. 17. The Jaspers dominated the boards holding a 42-24 advantage to help fifth year head coach Barry Rohrssen earn his first win over the Purple Eagles during his tenure.
"This win makes me feel happy for our players and fans, hopefully this will point us in the right direction going forward," explained Rohrssen. "We knew going into the season that we would be playing a new team and young team. If the guys work hard and play the way they did today they will have many more wins throughout their career."
Junior guard Kidani Brutus helped swing momentum to the Jaspers side with a crucial 3-pointer in front of the Manhattan bench to tie the game at 45-45 with 2:21 remaining. On the ensuing Jaspers' possession, Rhamel Brown, the MAAC offensive rebounds leader (4.6 rpg), grabbed one of the biggest boards of his young career to record the go-ahead put back with 1:17 remaining.
Manhattan (3-15, 1-6 MAAC) knocked down four free-throws in the final minute and got a crucial defensive stop in the last 15 seconds to hold off Niagara. After a missed 3-pointer from the wing by freshman guard Marvin Jordan, and then a jumper that was off the mark by senior guard Anthony Nelson, Beamon secured his eighth rebound of the game to seal the victory.
Beamon shot an efficient 5-for-8 from the field and dished out two assists.
Manhattan carried a 22-20 lead into intermission outshooting the Purple Eagles 45.5% (10-22) to 32% (8-25) in the opening 20 minutes. Sophomore guard Mohamed Koita got the Jaspers going beginning with a 3-pointer to kick off the first half, and then he hit his second of the game to lead Manhattan into the second stanza.
Brown recorded his third consecutive 10-rebound performance and eighth of the season. He contributed six points and swatted three shots as he surpassed Jason Benton (2003-2004) for seventh place on the program's single-season blocks list with 43.
"I am glad we got the win, but this is the time to push it and use our momentum to start a new streak, a winning streak, but we can only do it as a team," Brown emphasized.
Jemison was the Jaspers X-factor on both ends of the court, recording his 10 points on 5-for-10 shooting and pulling down all seven of his rebounds on the defensive glass. Freshman point guard Michael Alvarado finished with seven points going 5-for-6 from the free-throw line, including three critical free-throws in the last minute.
"As a basketball player, nobody likes to lose," stated Alvarado. "It's about time, finally we came up big."
Brutus brought energy playing 28 minutes off the bench. The Bronx native dished out a career-high five assists, finished with four points and recorded two steals.
Manhattan travels to Baltimore next to face Loyola on Thursday at 8 p.m. The Jaspers are back at home on Sunday in a MSG televised match up with Saint Peter's at 12 p.m.
To follow Manhattan Athletics on Twitter, go to twitter.com/GoJaspers or visit Manhattan's Facebook fan page.
