CHARLESTON, SC – Manhattan trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half against The Citadel before taking the lead for good with 12 minutes to play in the second half in a 77-74 win on Tuesday night to close the Cobb Dill & Hammett Classic.
The 8-3 start by the Jaspers is the best start since 2013-14 when they started 11-2.
Manhattan (8-3) led by as many as nine in the opening six minutes before falling behind by a dozen, 36-24, with 4:30 to play in the opening half.
Elijah Buchanan and
Jose Perez combined for 13 of the first 16 points for Manhattan. The Citadel (6-5) took the 12-point lead on the back of a 22-5 run over 6:46.
After trailing 40-34 at the half, Manhattan used an 8-0 run over 1:35 to turn a five-point deficit into a 52-50 lead. Buchanan, Perez, and
Josh Roberts scored during the stretch. The Jaspers would not lead by more than five over the final 12:20. The Bulldogs tied the game three times but could not get back in front.
Roberts finished an alley-oop from Perez to give Manhattan a 72-67 lead with 1:03. The Jaspers would score its final five points from the free-throw line to close out the game.
Ant Nelson made four of those from the charity stripe.
Nelson finished with a game-high 20 points and was joined in double figures by Perez (18 points), Buchanan (13), and
Samba Diallo (10). Roberts finished six points and nine rebounds. Perez added six assists and a season-high six rebounds.
Hayden Brown had 19 points to lead The Citadel. Brown, Roberts and Perez were named to the All-Tournament Team. Perez collected MVP honors as well.
The Jaspers have 10 days off before playing at Fairfield on Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
Cobb Dill & Hammett Classic All-Tournament Team
Claudell Harris Jr. – Charleston Southern
Hayden Brown – The Citadel
T.J. Madlock – South Carolina State
Cameron Jones – South Carolina State
Josh Roberts – Manhattan
Jose Perez – Manhattan (MVP)
