Box Score (PDF)
Elon, NC - Fueled by a game-changing 27-10 spurt midway through the second half, Manhattan overcame an early 17-point first half deficit in posting a convincing 69-64 win over Elon at the Schar Center.
With the victory, the Jaspers are now 3-1 for the first time since their 2013-14 MAAC Championship season while the Phoenix fall to 2-4.
Manhattan shot the lights out in the second half, converting on a blistering 56.5 percent (13-of-23) of their shots, including 58.3 percent (7-of-12) from deep, in dropping 48 points after halftime.
Trailing by 12 with just over 15 minutes remaining, senior
Tyler Reynolds (Syracuse, NY / Harcum College) drained back-to-back triples while sparking an 11-1 run and igniting an offense that had been largely stagnant until that point.
Marcus Sheffield quickly responded to push the Elon advantage out to 42-38 with 11:02 remaining, but it would do little to slow the Jaspers down.
Sophomore
Warren Williams (Kingston, Jamaica / St. Benedict's Prep) responded with a pair of layups, sandwiched between an Elon free throw, and classmate
Samir Stewart (Fort Lauderdale, FL / American Heritage) connected on a three to give Manhattan its first lead of the game at 45-43 with just over eight minutes to play.
The teams would trade buckets over the next two minutes and were tied at 49-49 with six minutes to go when the Jasper offense turned it into hyperdrive.
Sophomore
Christian Hinckson (Queens, NY / Tilton School (CT)) powered his way to the basket to break the deadlock while sparking a 13-4 run that gave the visitors the lead for good.
Stewart again provided the big bucket when his elbow triple made it a two-possession game with 3:35 remaining, as Manhattan was in command the rest of the way.
The Jaspers were able to put the game on ice by hitting 9-of-10 from the line over the last 2:38, highlighted by four straight from junior
Nehemiah Mack (Harrisburg, PA / Massanutten Prep (VA)) over the final 10 seconds that clinched the signature win.
Reynolds scored a team-leading 14 points while Stewart added 11 points and four assists with two steals and sophomore
Tykei Greene (Queens, NY / Long Island Lutheran) scored all 10 of his points after halftime with a team-best seven rebounds to round out the double-digit scorers for Manhattan.
Marcus Sheffield scored 24 points with seven rebounds while Hunter Woods added 21 points and six rebounds to lead the way for Elon.
Notes
* Today's win avenged last year's six-point loss to the Phoenix in the season opener.
* Thirteen of the Jaspers' last 15 possessions of the game over the final seven minutes resulted in points.
* Head Coach
Steve Masiello won his 130th career game at Manhattan thanks to spearheading a defense that registered 11 steals.
* He is now fourth by himself in career wins at the Riverdale-based institution.
* The Jaspers are now 44-14 under Masiello when registering double figures in thefts.
* The ninth year head coach also improves to 9-5, all-time, against the CAA, including posting a 6-1 record against the league when playing on the road.
* Manhattan set season-highs for three-point percentage (.440), threes (11) and bench scoring (35) while committing a season-low nine turnovers, including just one after halftime.
* The Jaspers also shot an even 40.0 percent (18-of-45) from the floor and 73.3 percent (22-of-30) from the line.
* Mack led the defense with three steals while adding nine points with two assists and two rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench.
* After falling behind 25-8 with 7:02 remaining, Manhattan outscored Elon 61-39 over the final 27-plus minutes of the game.
Up Next
* The Jaspers will play at Rhode Island on Wednesday, November 27 with opening tip slated for 4:00 pm.
