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Morega, CA - Playing with just six healthy scholarship players in its season opener, Manhattan was dealt an 89-63 loss by Saint Mary's in non-conference action at McKeon Pavilion.
In defeat, senior Shane Richards (New York, NY / York Prep) notched his eighth career 20-point performance, finishing with a game-high 23 points. Junior Rich Williams (Brooklyn, NY / Vermont Academy (VT)) matched his career-highs with 16 points and a team-high seven rebounds while sophomore Zane Waterman (Winston-Salem, NC / Fayetteville Academy) netted a career-high 14 points to round out the double-digit performers for the Jaspers.
Trailing 46-28 late in the first half, Waterman hit a pair from the line before Williams sank a three pointer and following a defensive stand, Richards canned a buzzer-beating three pointer to cap an 8-0 half-ending run.
Williams then opened the second half with a layup to make it a 46-38 game at the 19:45 mark. On the ensuing possession, Saint Mary's answered with a pair from the line while fueling a game-changing 25-5 spurt over the next 8:48 to go in front by an insurmountable 71-43 margin with 10:32 to play.
Despite playing extremely shorthanded, Manhattan was able to get to the line 35 times while using its trademark pressure defense to force eight steals.
The Jaspers also converted on an impressive 46.7 percent (7-for-15) from long range, including 75.0 percent (6-for-8) in the opening stanza.
Fueled by an overwhelming size advantage, the Gaels shot a blistering 57.7 percent (30-for-52) from the floor, including 41.7 percent (10-for-24) from deep, while posting a 37-20 edge on the glass.
Kyle Clark paced five double-figure scorers with 16 points while Boston College transfer Joe Rahon finished with a game-high 10 assists.
Manhattan will now return home to host Bucknell on Saturday, November 21with opening tip slated for 7:00 pm.
