NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - The Manhattan College men's basketball team defeated Niagara University in Overtime, 84-78 snapping a 10-game losing streak on Sunday afternoon.
Manhattan (5-13, 2-7 MAAC) was led by Daniel Rouzan who recorded a double-double with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Jaden Winston and Shaquil Bender added 16 points apiece for the Jaspers.
Niagara (10-10, 6-4 MAAC) was led by Braxton Bayless who scored 21 points. Yaw Obeng-Mensah added 16 points and five rebounds for the Purple Eagles.
In the first half, Manhattan had a strong start jumping out to a 12-5 lead, five minutes into the game. The Jaspers took control early, maintaining their lead and extending it to double-digits, going up 28-18 with 2:47 remaining in the half. However, a string of Manhattan turnovers allowed Niagara to cut into the lead before the half. The Purple Eagles went on an 11-2 run to end the half, making the score 30-29 Manhattan at halftime.
The teams played fairly evenly to start the second half, before Manhattan extended their lead back to an eight point advantage with 11:50 remaining in the contest. Niagara responded, slowly cutting into the Manhattan lead, finally taking a lead of their own, with 4:25 remaining. Niagara continued their momentum, taking their lead up to 69-63 with 2:55 remaining, following a three-pointer. Seydou Traore answered right away, sinking a three-pointer to cut the Niagara lead back to three. Following two points for each team, the score was 71-68 Niagara with 27 seconds remaining, with Manhattan possessing the ball. A Bender three-pointer tied the game at 71, giving Niagara the ball back with 18 seconds left. Following a timeout, Niagara designed a play to get them a layup that was executed perfectly, giving them a two point lead with 3.8 seconds to go. Manhattan immediately inbounded the ball, finding Rouzan under the basket, who got his shot off before the buzzer and connected, sending the game into overtime.
Through four minutes of overtime, the game was tied 78-78. Rouzan connected on an and-one layup, as well as a two-point jumper the following Manhattan possession, allowing the Jaspers to take control going up 83-78. Niagara could not respond and the Jaspers would come away with a thrilling 84-78 road victory.
Manhattan shot 45.1% from the floor and 42.1% from three-point. They recorded 36 points in the paint and 12 bench points.
Niagara shot 44.8% from the floor and 18.8% from three-point. They recorded 42 points in the paint and 39 bench points.
The Jaspers will host Quinnipiac University on Friday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. at Draddy Gymnasium.
Tickets: To purchase season or individual tickets, visit gojaspers.universitytickets.com. For any questions call 718-862-7297 or email tickets@manhattan.edu.
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