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Bridgeport, CT - Manhattan trimmed a 19-point deficit to six late in the second half but could get no closer in falling to Fairfield 80-70 at Webster Bank Arena.
In defeat, senior Shane Richards (New York, NY / York Prep) notched his ninth 20-point outing of the year and the 16th of his career, finishing with a game-high 22 points.
With the victory, the Stags improve to 13-11 and 7-7 in the MAAC while the Jaspers fall to 9-12 and 6-6 in the league.
Fairfield grabbed control of the game in the first half, opening up a 41-25 lead at intermission thanks to shooting 48.3 percent (14-of-29) from the field, fueled by five three pointers. The Stags also limited Manhattan to 30.4 percent (7-of-23) shooting, including just 20.0 percent (2-of-10) from distance, while posting a 26-10 edge on the glass that led to a 16-6 advantage on points in the paint.
After halftime, the Fairfield lead grew to a game-high 19 at 57-38 with 11:17 to play following a Marcus Gilbert dunk and the Stags were up by 15 with less than eight minutes to play when the Jaspers made their move. Following a media timeout, Richards canned a three pointer before junior Tyler Wilson (Bronx, NY / Cardinal Hayes) stole the ensuing pass and found senior RaShawn Stores (Bronx, NY / Robinson School (NJ)) for a quick three pointer to trim the deficit to 63-54 with 7:04 to play.
The Stags immediately answered with a pair of buckets only to see Manhattan respond with six-straight points to cut the Fairfield advantage to 67-60 with 3:55 remaining.
However, the Stags hit a pair from the line and the Jaspers would cut it to six but get no closer in falling at Webster Bank Arena for the 10th-straight time by an 80-70 count.
The Jaspers shot 41.5 percent (22-of-53) from the floor, including 50.0 percent in the second half, and 85.7 percent (18-of-21) from the line while forcing 23 turnovers that led to 27 points.
Fairfield made good on 52.9 percent (27-of-51) from the field, including 59.1 percent in the second half, while posting a dominating 44-18 advantage on the glass.
Sophomore Calvin Crawford (Middletown, NY / St. Thomas More (CT)) scored 12 points with three blocks while freshman Thomas Capuano (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY / Iona Prep) added 10 points to round out the double-figure scores for Manhattan.
Curtis Cobb paced the Stags with a game-high 20 points to go along with seven rebounds.
The Jaspers will host Quinnipiac on Thursday, February 11 with opening tip slated for ESPN3 at 8:00 pm.
