RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan men's basketball team fell 73-70 in overtime, in their final tuneup before the MAAC tournament next week in Atlantic City.
Manhattan (7-22, 4-16 MAAC) was led by a trio of double-digit scorers, including Seydou Traore (19 pts), Shaquil Bender (15 pts), and Daniel Rouzan (11 pts).
Canisius (13-17, 8-12 MAAC) was led by Frank Mitchell who recorded a double-double, scoring 13 points and collecting 22 rebounds. Tre Dinkins added 19 points for the Golden Griffins.
The Jaspers came out continuing their positive momentum from last game, stringing to a 17-9 lead, through eight minutes of play. Canisius would rebound quickly, going on a 15-2 run immediately, allowing them to take a 24-19 lead with 6:11 to go in the half. The Jaspers would score a quick few baskets putting themselves back up 29-28 briefly, before a 9-0 Canisius run would end the half.
The Canisius lead would stay around ten for the first ten minutes of the second half before the Jaspers began to press and dictate the tempo. Manhattan trimmed the Canisius lead from a 12 point game to a five point deficit in under two minutes. After a small Canisius run, Manhattan would again trim the deficit to five with 2:02 to go on a Bender basket, followed by a Perry Cowan three-pointer to trim the lead to 61-59. After Canisius went ½ from the free throw line, Cowan would come back with another three-pointer to tie the game at 62. Back to back failed trips would result in Canisius gaining possession with 12.3 seconds to go. The Jaspers would hold firm on defense, sending the game into overtime.
Canisius would start overtime off with a three-pointer, to go up 65-62. Traore would answer with an and-one layup to knot things back up at 65. A free throw from Rouzan free throw, followed by a Canisius basket would put the Golden Griffins up 67-66 with under three to go. Manhattan would score two baskets, middled by a Canisius three-pointer, giving Canisius the ball with under a minute to go, with the game tied at 70. Manhattan's defense would come up with a stop, earning themselves the ball with under 30 seconds to play. The Jaspers could not convert, giving Canisius one more change with 1.7 seconds left. Dinkins would launch from beyond half court and drill a game winning buzzer beater for Canisius, resulting in a 73-70 final score.
This would be the final game of the regular season for the Jaspers, as they head to Atlantic City next week to participate in the MAAC tournament. Manhattan will begin play in the first round on Tuesday, March 12th when they take on seventh seeded Iona at 7:30 p.m.
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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