Riverdale, NY - Manhattan scored the first 13 points of the game and never looked back, en route to posting a rousing 85-74 season-opening win over Delaware State.
Sophomore Tykei Greene (Queens, NY / Long Island Lutheran) scored a team-best 15 points with five rebounds to pace five double-figure scorers for the Jaspers.
Manhattan was fueled by forcing 25 miscues with 16 steals that led to a decisive 33-14 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Jaspers took a 44-35 lead into the break thanks to an impressive performance from sophomore Elijah Buchanan (Bronx, NY / Woodstock Academy (CT)), who scored all of his career-best 12 points in the opening stanza, including five of the first 13 to start the game.
With the visitors clawing back into the game early in the second half, Ethan Lasko (Hollywood, FL / Indiana) took over. The junior guard drew a charge, before canning back-to-back triples to stretch the Manhattan advantage out to an insurmountable 58-45 margin with just over 14 minutes to play while forcing a Hornet timeout.Buchanan with the second and-one of the game! Manhattan now leads 13-3 with 16:45 to play in the first half. pic.twitter.com/z4HxPH5Inz
— Manhattan Basketball (@JaspersMBB) November 13, 2019
The lead would grow to a game-high 18 at 71-53 with 7:46 remaining following a 7-0 spurt that was highlighted by a Nehemiah Mack (Jr., Harrisburg, PA / Massanutten Academy (VA)) three-point play.AND THEN THIS!!!!
— Manhattan Basketball (@JaspersMBB) November 13, 2019
Manhattan 58 Delaware State 45 with 14:09 to play in regulation!
Hornet Timeout! pic.twitter.com/fyQeAZ8oqG
Delaware State would trim it to nine points with 33 seconds remaining, but was unable to get any closer as sophomore Christian Hinckson (Queens, NY / Tilton School (NH)) canned a pair at the line. Hinckson pulled down a game and career-high eight rebounds with 10 points, and was joined in double-figures on the offensive end by senior Pauly Paulicap (Elmont, NY / Harcum College) and sophomore Samir Stewart (Fort Lauderdale, FL / American Heritage).Mack with another Manhattan And-1!
— Manhattan Basketball (@JaspersMBB) November 13, 2019
Jaspers lead Delaware State 70-53 with just over eight to play in regulation. pic.twitter.com/cZ4PUNzqsr
The Hornets also had five double-digit scorers and were led by Lance Singh, who scored 16 points with five rebounds.
Notes
* Manhattan is now 75-39 all-time in season openers.
* The Jaspers shot an impressive 78.4 percent (29-of-37) from the line and 39.4 percent from the floor (24-of-59).
* Head Coach Steve Masiello coached in his 100th career game and is now 62-38 in the building, just six off of Bobby Gonzalez's school-record.
* Manhattan is now 43-14 when registering at least 10 steals and 27-14 when forcing at least 20 turnovers under Masiello.#JasperNation catch Head Coach @steve_masiello's postgame interview with ESPN+ after tonight's win over Delaware State. #BronxBuilt pic.twitter.com/RFL0Qnr16C
— Manhattan Basketball (@JaspersMBB) November 13, 2019
* The Jaspers' 16 thefts are also the most since collecting 16 in an 84-81 overtime win against Buffalo on December 21, 2013.
* Manhattan had five double-digit scorers for the first time since a 101-96 win at Marist on January 2, 2018.
* The Jaspers registered three old-fashioned three-point plays and drew five offensive fouls.
* Stewart had a career-best matching five steals with five assists to go along with 10 points.
* Paulicap also had 10 points in just under 11 minutes of action.
* Lasko registered a career-high nine points, on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting from long range.
* Mack also added nine points in a reserve role, as the Jasper bench posted a 28-20 scoring advantage.
Up Next
* Manhattan will look to make it two in a row when it hosts UAlbany on Saturday, November 16 at 7:00 pm.