Men's Basketball 1/8/2015 4:16:00 AM Manhattan Athletic Department

Andujar, Pankey Power Manhattan To 68-63 Win Over Saint Peter's

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RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan converted nine-straight field goals in the game's first 12-plus minutes en route to posting a 68-63 wire-to-wire victory over Saint Peter's at Draddy Gymnasium.

Leading the way for the Jaspers was senior Emmy Andujar (Bronx, N.Y. / Rice), who scored a game-high 21 points to become the 36th member of the school's 1,000-point club, while junior Ashton Pankey (Bronx, N.Y. / Maryland) narrowly missed a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds.

Manhattan, which picked up its fourth win in five games, defeated the Peacocks for the eighth-straight time while improving to 6-8 and 3-2 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Saint Peter's, meanwhile, falls to 8-8 and 2-3 in the league.

The Jaspers, which shot a season-high 50.0 percent (17-for-34) for the game, came roaring out of the gates with seven-straight points as Pankey opened the scoring with a ferocious slam before hitting a layup following a turnover. Junior Shane Richards (New York, N.Y. / York Prep) then took advantage of another Peacock miscue with a leaning three pointer to cap a game-opening 7-0 spurt.

Following a timeout, Saint Peter's answered with seven-straight points of its own before Manhattan ripped off a 19-4 run over the next 6:35. The surge, which included included 11-straight at one point, helped to open up a 26-11 lead with 9:44 to play and was keyed by Andujar (9) and Pankey (6).

The never-say-die Peacocks would trim the deficit to 31-22 with 6:24 remaining in the half on an Elias Desport jumper while appearing primed to make a big push before the break. However, as they would do all night the Jaspers answered with 10-straight points on a RaShawn Stores (Sr., Bronx, N.Y. / Robinson School (N.J.)) three-point play, four Andujar free throws and a Richards triple in staking the defending MAAC Champions to a 41-22 halftime lead.

In opening half, Manhattan, which didn't miss a field goal attempt until the 7:10 mark, shot a season-high 63.2 percent (12-for-19) from the floor while also connecting on a blistering 93.8 percent (15-for-16) from the line in building its 19-point advantage. Defensively, the Jaspers limited Saint Peter's to just 33.3 percent (9-for-27) from the field, including 12.5 percent (1-for-8) from long range.

After halftime, the Peacocks would use a 12-2 run midway through the second to trim what was a 19-point deficit to 58-54 with 3:48 to play following a Tyler Gaskins triple. The momentum was short-lived as Stores answered on the following possession with a back-breaking three of his own.

Saint Peter's would continue to battle and get to within three following a Rodney Hawkins layup before senior Donovan Kates (Hopkinsville, Ky. / Christian County) put the game on ice, as his two free throws with 4.3 seconds remaining provided the final 68-63 tally.

In addition to its season-high shooting performance from the floor, the Jaspers converted on a season-best 78.9 percent (30-for-38) from the line. The Peacocks shot a respectable 41.1 percent (23-for-56) from the floor, but made good on just 12.5 percent (2-for-16) from deep.

Saint Peter's, which won the rebounding battle by a 31-29 margin, including 12-2 on the offensive end, was led by Gaskins' team-best 20 points while Hawkins added 14 off the bench.

Stores joined Andujar and Pankey in double-figures, finishing with 10 points to go along with three assists, against no turnovers, and two steals in 29 minutes.

Manhattan will look for its first three-game winning streak against Niagara on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.

Notes
* Manhattan improves to 74-48, all-time, against Saint Peter's and has won 11 of the last 12 meetings between the teams at Draddy Gymnasium.

* The Jaspers are also a perfect 3-0 at home this season and have won seven-straight and 12-of-13 dating back to last season.

* Additionally, Manhattan is 28-11 at home since Masiello took over the program in 2011-2012.

* After Saint Peter's converted its first three point attempt of the game, the Jasper defense limited the Peacocks to just 1-of-15 shooting from long range.

* Over the last two games, Manhattan is limiting opposing teams to just 13.5 percent (5-for-37) shooting from deep.

* The Jaspers have limited the opposition to less than 70 points in all six of its wins and is a perfect 5-0 when leading at the half.

* Manhattan's 30 free throws were the most converted since making good on 32 in a 90-68 win over Siena on Jan. 16, 2014.

* Andujar's second free throw with 4:40 remaining made him the 36th 1,000-point scorer in school history while securing his fifth career 20-point game.

* Andujar's 21 points also marks the sixth 20-point performance by a Jasper this season.

* Over the last five games, the Jaspers are holding teams to just 26.9 percent (21-for-78) from deep.

* Pankey also had a career-high matching three blocks to pace a Manhattan effort that blocked a season-best six.

* Stores is averaging 7.4 points and 3.6 assists per game during that time while posting a 6.0 assist/turnover ratio.

* Prior to the game, Richards was honored for breaking the school's career record for three pointers.

* The teams will meet again in nine days on Friday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. in a game that will be broadcast on ESPN3.

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