Box Score
BRIDGEPORT, CONN. - Manhattan outplayed Fairfield (16-4, 9-1 MAAC) for 39 minutes of a good ole MAAC slugfest on Friday at Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard, but the Jaspers' missed free-throws and a costly turnover in the final minute allowed the Stags to steal a 61-59 victory. Sophomore guard George Beamon led Manhattan (3-18, 1-9 MAAC) in scoring for the 12th time this season with a game-high 19 points.
The Jaspers made big shots all night, just not from the free-throw line finishing 6-for-15 (40%). Manhattan's woes at the charity stripe culminated in the final minute missing the front end of three one-and-one opportunities.
The missed free-throws allowed the Stags cut Manhattan's largest lead of the contest (59-54, 1:40) to one point after a pair of free-throws by junior forward Ryan Olander with 25 seconds remaining. The Jaspers gave the ball back to Fairfield after an errant pass on the ensuing inbounds play setting the stage for the game winning play.
Fairfield ran 14 seconds off the clock before sophomore guard Derek Needham delivered the dagger with a 3-pointer from the right side. It was Needham's team-leading 16th point and fourth 3-pointer of the game to give the Stags a two point lead with eight seconds remaining.
Manhattan had a nice look from the elbow after freshman point guard Michael Alvarado took the ball the length of the court. His midrange jumper rattled off the rim and senior guard Nick Walsh missed a rushed last second heave.
The Jaspers executed their game plan nearly to perfection to hang with the top team in the conference on their home floor. Manhattan carried a 28-25 lead into the break, thanks in part to a solid defensive effort and Beamon's 13 points.
Manhattan went inside for 22 of its 28 points in the first half and finished the game with 40 points in the paint.
The Jaspers traded clutch basket after clutch basket with the Stags, until the final minute of the second half. Manhattan had an answer for Fairfield every time the Stags took the lead in the stanza. Stags' freshman guard Maurice Borrow tied the game for the 14th time at 52-52 with 5:16 remaining, and then Needham gave Fairfield a two point advantage with a pair of free-throws 32 seconds later. However, Walsh answered on the next possession knocking down his second key 3-pointer of the half to put Manhattan ahead by one.
The big trey sparked a 7-0 Jaspers' run as Manhattan earned a five point lead on Alvarado's jumper with 1:40 to go. Classmate Rhamel Brown also hit some big shots in the final 20 minutes, scoring six of his seven points on 3-for-4 shooting in the half.
Stags' senior forward Yorel Hawkins responded with a jumper, leading Fairfield into its last minute comeback surge. Hawkins and Barrow finished with 12 points apiece, while Olander was the fourth Stag to score in double-figures with 14 points.
Manhattan got nine points and a team-high nine rebounds from graduate student Demetrius Jemison. Brown grabbed eight boards as the Jaspers won the battle on the glass 33-29. He added two blocks and three steals to his stat line.
The Jaspers continue its strenuous four game road series on Sunday when they travel to Marist. Tip off is scheduled for 12 p.m. and will be televised live on MSG Network.
