Bronx Insider: Sports Desk: Manhattan Topped by Monmouth Friday.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Manhattan Topped by Monmouth Friday.

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Manhattan battled back from 16 points down in the first half but was unable to catch Monmouth in a 75-65 loss on Friday night.

 
Josh Roberts recorded his second straight double-double to lead Manhattan (11-11, 4-9 MAAC). George Papas had a game-high 23 points to pace Monmouth (16-8, 8-5).

Roberts started the night off with a dunk less than 20 seconds in. The lead was short-lived for the Jaspers as Monmouth would build the lead thanks to a 14-2 run that spanned 4:47 to make it 21-8. The Jaspers did close the opening 20 minutes on a 12-2 run to make it 35-29 at the break. Elijah Buchanan hit a pair of 3-pointers and Roberts supplied three dunks.

Manhattan got as close as two in the second half. A 6-0 run in less than two minutes made it 45-43 Monmouth with 15:15 to play. The Hawks would then build the lead out to 13 with five minutes to play.

The Japers forced three turnovers to fuel a 10-2 stretch that made it a seven-point game, 72-65, with 1:28 to go. Another Roberts dunk was followed by an Ant Nelson triple before Warren Williams and Buchanan made it a seven-point game.

Roberts finished with 16 points and a season-high 14 rebounds. Jose Perez had 15 for Manhattan while Buchanan finished with 10.

Monmouth hit 48-percent from the field and got to the free-throw line 32 times, making 23, compared to Manhattan’s 41-percent shooting night and 24 free throw attempts with 14 makes.

Up next for the Jaspers is a trip to Quinnipiac on Sunday. The Bobcats and Jaspers tip at 2 p.m. in Hamden, Conn.