JSN Recap: Balanced Effort Lifts Manhattan To 72-66 Win

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Riverdale, NY - Fueled by four double-figure scorers, Manhattan posted a hard-fought 72-66 win over Fairfield in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action at Draddy Gymnasium.


With the victory, the Jaspers improve to 4-8 and 1-2 in the league while the Stags fall to 6-6 and 1-2 in the circuit.


In a nip-and-tuck affair that featured nine lead changes and eight ties, it was a relentless Manhattan offensive attack that posted a 46-22 advantage on points in the paint, including 16-8 of the second-chance variety, that was the difference.

While the Jasper offense posted its most balanced effort of the season, it was the defense that turned in arguably its finest late-game performance in recent memory. After Tyler Nelson hit a three pointer to trim the lead to 69-66 with 3:25 to play, the visitors were held without a point the rest of the way. The Stags were forced into four errant shots, turned it over twice and came away empty-handed on each of their final eight possessions.

In the second half, Manhattan shot a blistering 50.0 percent (14-of-28) from the floor and 71.4 percent (10-of-14) from the line, including 83.3 percent (5-of-6) over the final five minutes.

Sophomore Calvin Crawford (Middletown, NY / St. Thomas More (CT)) scored a career-high 14 points while coming up with a key steal with 1:39 to play and two defensive rebounds in the last minute to lead the way for the Jaspers.

Classmate Zane Waterman (Winston-Salem, NC / Fayetteville Academy) matched Crawford with 14 points with seven rebounds and junior Rich Williams (Brooklyn, NY / Vermont Academy (VT)) also hit for 14 points with a game-high nine rebounds.

Senior Shane Richards (New York, NY / York Prep) rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points while classmate RaShawn Stores (Bronx, NY / Robinson School (NJ)) added nine points with four assists and four steals.

Gilbert led all players with 23 points while Nelson added 19 points to lead the way for Fairfield.

Manhattan will next host Siena on Monday, January 4 at 7:00 pm in a game that will be streamed live on ESPN3.

Notes
* The Jasper defense limited an opposing offense to less than 40 percent shooting for the first time this season.

* Manhattan is 3-0 this season when notching 10 steals or more and 21-2 over the last three years.

* The Jaspers are 4-0 when limiting the opposition to 70 points or less and 33-6 over the last three years. They are 3-0 when leading with five minutes and 19-2 in similar situations since the start of last season.

* Head Coach Steve Masiello improved to 5-0 at home against Fairfield and is 30-10, all-time, at Draddy Gymnasium against MAAC opposition.

* Waterman has now scored in double-figures in back-to-back games for the first time in his career.

* All 24 of Manhattan's two-point field goals came in the paint while its four dunks are one fewer then the season total of five entering the game.

* The starting line-up of Stores, Tyler Wilson (Jr., Bronx, NY / Cardinal Hayes), Richards, Samson Akilo (So., Lagos, Nigeria / Nazareth (NY)) and Waterman was the eighth different set of starters employed by Masiello this season.

* The Jaspers won the battle of the boards for the fifth time this season while their 44 caroms are a season high.