RIVERDALE, NY — Manhattan picked up its biggest win of conference play with a 79-75 triumph over first-place Merrimack (14-11, 11-3 MAAC). The Jaspers rattled off an 18-2 late run late in regulation to stun the Warriors in front of the Draddy faithful.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Manhattan was locked in on the defensive end early as it jumped out to a 9-3 lead after a three-point play for Will Sydnor at 15:42.
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Merrimack fired back with a 10–0 run to stake out a 13-9 lead.
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Merrimack led the rest of the half, opening a 32-21 lead on a floater from Adam "Budd" Clark at 5:52.
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As Manhattan's defense regressed throughout the first half, the offense was able to get off clean looks against Merrimack's 2-3 zone. That included a smooth turnaround midrange jumper from Sydnor that closed to within three with just over 10 minutes left in the first.
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After trailing 42-33 at half, the Jaspers cut the deficit to five after back-to-back threes from Devin Dinkins.
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A Sean Trumper three at 6:56 mark of the second half extended Manhattan's lead to 67-56.
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The Jaspers then kicked into a whole other gear, launching an 11-0 run capped off by a string of four baskets, including two each from Robinson and Sydnor, with a fast-break slam from the freshman from the Bronx capping off the spectacle.
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After a free throw from Bryan Etumnu put Merrimack back up one with 3:41, Gilyard nailed a catch-and-shoot three from the wing to put Manhattan back up.
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A ferocious slam from Sydnor pushed the Jaspers advantage back out to six with 46 seconds left to give Manhattan enough separation late.
STATS AND NOTES
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Wesley Robinson (18 points and 12 rebounds) and Will Sydnor (19 points and 10 rebounds) both posted double doubles.
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Dinkins and Gilyard went 5-7 from three-point range as the pair accounted for all of the team's treys.
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Manhattan was plagued by 12 first half turnovers before only relinquishing four possessions in the second half.
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Manhattan's 46 points in the second half was the most points scored by any team against the Warriors in conference play. Merrimack ranks second in opponents points-per-game with 64.4
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Manhattan posted a 44-28 advantage for points in the paint.
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