Manhattan Drops Hard-Fought Game To Elon

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Riverdale, NY - Manhattan cut a 14-point deficit to three on three occasions before dropping a hard-fought 62-56 decision to Elon at Draddy Gymnasium in the season opener for each team.

Senior Thomas Capuano (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY / Iona Prep) scored 10 points with a game-high eight rebounds and four assists over 31 turnover-free minutes while sophomore Nehemiah Mack (Harrisburg, PA / Massanutten Academy (VA)) hit for all 10 of his points after halftime to pace the Jaspers offensively.

Trailing 47-36 late in the second half, Mack found sophomore Ebube Ebube (San Juan, Puerto Rico / Lawrenceville Academy (NJ)) for a three pointer before canning a triple of his own to make it a five-point game with 6:05 to play. After the Phoenix briefly answer with a three pointer, freshman Tykei Greene (Queens, NY / Long Island Lutheran) converted a layup and Capuano hit a three pointer to trim the deficit to 50-47 at the 3:49 mark.

Unfortunately, the visitors would answer on the ensuing possession and Manhattan would be unable to get any closer the rest of the way.

Despite the loss, the Jaspers forced 18 Elon miscues that led to a 15-12 advantage in points off turnovers while pulling down 14 offensive rebounds that resulted in a 20-12 advantage in second-chance points.

Tyler Seibring scored 17 points with eight rebounds to pace the Phoenix.

Notes
* Manhattan shot 31.2 percent (21-of-65), including 31.0 percent (9-of-29) from deep, while winning the battle of the boards (36-35).

* Mack's 10 points were a career-high as were Capuano's eight rebounds.

* Graduate Student Ibrahima Diallo (Dakar, Sengel / Rutgers) made his first collegiate start.

* Ebube's two three pointers were the first of his career.

* The Jasper bench outscored the starters by a 30-26 count.

* Manhattan's freshmen combined for 22 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and four steals.

* After halftime, the Jaspers parlayed seven offensive rebounds into 15 points.

* Senior Samson Usilo (Lagos, Nigeria / Nazareth (NY)) scored six of his eight points in the first half while freshman Samir Stewart (Fort Lauderdale, FL / American Heritage) led all Manhattan players with seven points in the opening stanza.

* The game was the first-ever match-up between the teams.

Up Next
* Manhattan will play at UMBC on Monday, November 12 at 7:00 pm.