Box Score (PDF) | Photo Gallery
Highland Heights, KY - Fueled by freshman
Warren Williams' (Kingston, Jamaica / St. Benedict's Prep) 13 second-half points, Manhattan posted a dominating 54-38 win over UNC Asheville in its final action of the KEMI Northern Kentucky Basketball Classic at the BB&T Arena.
The Jaspers improve to 2-3 while the Bulldogs fall to 1-4.
Junior
Tyler Reynolds (Syracuse, NY / Harcum College) added a career-high 15 points, on the strength of five three pointers, while the defense limited UNC Asheville to just 25.0 percent (11-of-44) shooting, including 13.3 percent (2-of-15) from long range.
The 38 points yielded were the fewest allowed by Manhattan since the Jaspers defeated Marist 60-38 on December 7, 2014 at Draddy Gymnasium.
Manhattan also forced 20 Bulldog miscues, including eight shot clock violations and three charges, which led to a 21-13 advantage in points off turnovers.
With just over 11 minutes to play in the second half and the score tied at 28-28, the Jaspers grabbed control of the game with seven-straight points while setting the tone for the rest of the game. Williams started the spurt with a layup, followed by a Reynolds triple before freshman
Elijah Buchanan (Bronx, NY / Woodstock Academy (CT)) converted a fast-break layup as Manhattan grabbed an insurmountable 35-28 lead with 9:12 to play.
UNC Asheville would hang around and trailed just 38-34 with just over six minutes remaining when Manhattan put the game away with a 16-2 run, as the Jaspers scored on eight of their final nine possession while making good on 4-of-5 from the floor.
Manhattan shot a season-high 45.0 percent (18-of-40) from the floor, including 36.8 percent (7-of-19) from long range, with eight steals.
For the weekend, sophomore
Nehemiah Mack (Harrisburg, PA / Massanutten Prep (VA)) and Williams were each named to the All-Tournament team. For that release click
HERE.
DeVon Baker led all players with 18 points to pace the Bulldog offense.
The Jaspers will return to action at George Washington on Saturday, November 24 at 4:00 pm.
