FAIRFIELD, CT — Manhattan led by six at halftime, and then fended off an early second-half run by the Stags to take control of the game in a 80–67 rout. Devin Dinkins hit a dagger three from the corner to put Manhattan ahead by 13 with 1:01 left.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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After getting beat inside early, Manhattan launched a 9-0 run to take an 18-16 lead with 11:50 left.
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After a three from Prophet Johnson gave the Stags a 23-21 lead, back-to-back baskets in the form of a dunk from Will Sydnor and a steal and fastbreak lay-up for Jaden Winston retook a lead for Manhattan at 25-23 with 7:05 left in the first half.
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The Jaspers closed the half on a 14-6 run to stake out a 39-33 lead at halftime.
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An early 7-0 run from the Stags in the second half tied the game at 40.
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Manhattan finally got the board with its first bucket of the half by virtue of a three-pointer from Winston at 17:04.
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Manhattan went up by eight following a smooth jumper from Dinkins after some great passing around the key.
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Another 7-0 run from the Jaspers stretched the lead to 12 following a three from Dinkins and a fastbreak dunk from Shaquil Bender.
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Fairfield cut it back down to nine within the final two minutes, before another lay-up from Bender, a free throw from Gilyard and the clutch three from Dinkins put the game out of reach.
STATS AND NOTES
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Manhattan has won 5 of its last 6 games and are now tied for fourth in the standings with Mount St. Mary's at 8-6.
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14 of Gilyard's 21 points came in the first half. The point output was a new D1 career-high for Swish.
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Manhattan posted a 16-7 advantage for points on the fastbreak.
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Manhattan had 16 assists on 30 made field goals.
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Dinkins, who made both of his three-point attempts on Sunday, has hit at least two threes in five of his last six games. Dinkins is 15-31 (48.3%) from three during that stretch.
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Gilyard and Sydnor each pulled down seven boards.
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Manhattan had five double-digit scorers, including a season high-matching 18 points from Winston,
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Sydnor (13), Bender (12) and Dinkins (10) were among the other double-digit scorers.
NEXT TIME OUT
Manhattan will battle Iona (11-15, 8-7 MAAC) next Friday night at 7 PM on ESPNU. The national television spot will be the Jaspers' third time in four seasons playing the Gaels with the entire country watching.
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