Box Score (PDF)Â | Highlights
Loudonville, NY - Junior
Ant Nelson (New York, NY / Seton Hall) scored 22 of his career-high matching 27 points after halftime, but it wasn't enough as Manhattan dropped a hard-fought 74-69 decision to MAAC preseason favorite Siena at the UHY Center.
Nelson combined with juniors
Samba Diallo (Rufisque, Senegal / UMass) and
Warren Williams (Kingston, Jamaica / St. Benedict's Prep) to combine for 38 of the Jaspers' 40 second-half points, while shooting a blistering 57.7 percent (15-of-26) from the field.
The trio kept the Green & White close, in spite of the fact that the Saints shot a blistering 63.2 percent (12-of-19) after halftime.
Despite falling behind by 12 on two occasions, Manhattan continued to fight and cut the deficit to four late in the game, but was unable to get any closer.
Nelson's aforementioned 27 points led all players, while Williams hit for double-digits for the 11th-straight game, finishing with 15 points to go along with seven rebounds and two blocks.
Diallo narrowly missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, while junior
Samir Stewart (Fort Lauderdale, FL / American Heritage) rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Jaspers with 10 points.
Notes
* Manhattan is now 6-10 and 5-10 in the MAAC, while Siena improves to 10-3 and 10-3 in the league.
* Siena took a 37-29 lead at the break, despite 10 first-half points from Stewart and seven from classmate Williams.
* Freshman
Amir Britt (Edison, NJ / Westtown School (PA)) scored his first collegiate points in the first half with a thunderous dunk off a pass from Stewart, before completing the three-point play with a free throw.
* Nelson opened the second half with back-to-back and-ones, as Manhattan registered four after halftime.
* The Seton Hall transfer also was 11-of-16 from the floor, including 2-for-3 from deep, and 3-for-4 from the line.
* He has now hit for at least 20 points three times this year, and registered double-figures on 13 occasions.
* Nelson also handed out a season-best matching six assists, against just two turnovers.
* The Jaspers posted a 42-32 advantage in the paint, while outscoring the Saints in points off turnovers (17-10), on the break (18-12) and in second-chance opportunities (9-7).
* Four Siena players scored in double-figures, led by Jordan King's 16.
* The Saints shot 54.2 percent from the floor, while posting a 36-28 advantage on the glass.
Up Next
* The teams will conclude their series on Saturday, February 27 at 7:00 pm.
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