LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — The Jaspers got their revenge after Friday night's heartbreak at Siena by beating Rider, 80-79, thanks to a go-ahead three-pointer from Jaden Winston with 6.8 seconds left. Winston's final shot cemented a road victory for the Jaspers who were led by a career-high 18 points from Masiah Giyard.
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Rider got ahead early, establishing a 10-6 lead on a basket from Tariq Ingraham at the 16:05 mark of the first half.
-Manhattan kept their deficit to within two possessions thanks to the inspiring play of Masiah Gilyard. Swish got on the board first at the 15:02 mark on a cut to the hoop and feed from Will Sydnor, cutting the deficit to two.
-Doing yeoman's work around the paint, Gilyard cashed in 8 of the Jaspers' next 15 points to keep the Jaspers' deficit to within three before a three-pointer from Jay Alvarez at 9:12 pushed the Rider lead back to two possessions.
-The Jaspers also had to deal with Zion Cruz who got going early. His driving finish off the glass extended the home team's lead to 28-21 with 7:12 left in the first half.
-After another lay-up by Swish Gilyard, a three from Tyriek Weeks gave Rider their largest lead of the half at 33-23. Swish helped cut it back to five with another basket, and then answered five straight points from Flash Burton in the final minute of the half with a mid-range finish from the short corner at the buzzer.
-The Jaspers went into the locker room down 44-37.
-Both teams started the second half trading baskets before back-to-back threes from Wesley Robinson brought the Jaspers to within two with 15:48 left. The climb back gave Manhattan its smallest deficit since trailing 14-13 after Bender's first-half three.
-The Jaspers extended its run to 19-7 to take a four-point lead following an amazing finish inside by Gilyard while losing his balance.
-Rider retaliated with an 11-0 run that put them back up by seven with 4:37 left. At the 4:16 mark, Sydnor exited the game with an injury to his finger but managed to return to the action after the Jaspers punched back with a 9-2 run highlighted by a three from Bender and a second-chance putback for Robinson. The game was tied at 75 with 1:17 left.
-Alvarez looked like he was going to be the hero for Rider as he supplied two more baskets in the final minute; the second of which gave the Broncs a two-point lead with 13 seconds left.
-Winston saved his only three of the night for the main highlight, depositing a shot from more than 30-feet out with 6.8 seconds left. On the ensuing in-bounds, Cruz turned over the ball, and the Jaspers were able to close out the win.
STATS AND NOTES
-Manhattan has matched last season's win total (7) in 18 less games so far.
-Winston's biggest play in his Manhattan career was the Jaspers first go-ahead shot with seven seconds left or less since Robinson's floater at the buzzer vs. Army.
-Gilyard's 18 points were a D1 career-high.
-Manhattan improved to 4-1 this season on games decided by 3 points or less.
-Bender's 18 points on 6-13 shooting and 4-8 from three were his most points since the second game of the season (28 vs. Mercy).
-Winston and Robinson registered 36 minutes in the win. Winston has played 36 minutes or more in seven games this season.
-Winston finished with four steals and Robinson led the Jaspers with eight rebounds.
-Saturday's game was the fourth time this season Manhattan hit double-digit threes in a game. The Jaspers finished 10-23 (43.5%) from behind the arc, including 5-of-10 in the second half.
QUOTES FROM MANHATTAN
Manhattan head coach John Gallagher: "The guts of Jaden and his leadership… it was one of those 'no, no, no, yes' shots which we've all had but I'm just really proud of Jaden. This was something we needed after Friday night (at Siena) didn't go our way. It's a good bounce back win."
Jaden Winston on making the go-ahead shot: "He (Gallagher) was on me a little in this game but I'm grateful he trusted me to make a play. I'm grateful for him and my teammates."
NEXT TIME OUT
Manhattan will return home to face Mount St. Mary's (9-5, 2-1 MAAC) on Friday, Jan. 10 at 7 PM on ESPN+. The Mountaineers defeated Niagara earlier today by a final score of 68-62.
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