Bronx Insider: Sports Desk: Manhattan Men's Basketball Uses Last Second Shot to Beat Quinnipiac.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nelson's Floater Completes Manhattan's Comeback at Quinnipiac.

HAMDEN, Conn. – Ant Nelson hit the game-winning floater to complete Manhattan’s comeback against Quinnipiac and pick up a 72-70 win on Sunday.

Nelson’s final two came from the right side of the lane as the clock expired to give the Jaspers the win. The bucket capped a 21-point afternoon for the guard, with 17 points coming in the second half.

“My teammates gave me a lot of confidence in the huddle,” said Nelson. “I am super excited for Razi. That was a big wake-up game for him. I was picking my spots on offense, and I wanted to get my teammates involved after struggling on Friday.”

Nelson scored the final six points for Manhattan over the final 2:04 of regulation.

Manhattan (11-16, 9-9 MAAC) trailed by as many as 21 in the first half and 17 in the second half.

“You saw a group of guys that believe in each together today,” said interim head coach RaShawn Stores afterward. “Logan and Razi stepping up today, that is part of the next-man-up mindset I have been saying all year. We had been in the spot before, earlier this season, and our guys rose to the occasion.”

Quinnipiac (19-10, 10-8) led 57-42 with 15:25 remaining in the game. Manhattan scored the next 13 points to pull within three. The Jaspers went 6-7 from the field during the run. Josh Roberts and Nelson combined for 11 of the 13 points.

Raziel Hayun came off the bench to supply three crucial 3-pointers in the second half. Hayun’s third 3-pointer gave Manhattan its first lead at 64-63 with 3:47 to play in regulation. Hayun was one for his last 12 from 3-point range entering Sunday.

Logan Padgett hit two free throws after Hayun’s triple to make it 66-63 Manhattan with 3:08 to play. Quinnipiac responded with seven of the next nine points to retake the lead with 1:25 to play, 70-68. Ike Nweke gave Quinnipiac the lead in what were the final two points for Quinnipiac.

Nelson tied the game on the next possession with a layup. After a defensive stop by the Jaspers, Nelson crossed over, went left, then came back right to get the floater up over Paul Otieno to win the game.

Offensively, the Jaspers shot 66-percent from the floor in the second half and 50-percent from deep. On the other end of the floor, the Jaspers’ defense held the Bobcats to 22-percent from 3-point range after allowing 43-percent in the opening 20 minutes.

Nelson added eight rebounds and five assists to his game-high 21 points. Roberts added 13 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. Padgett finished with 11 points to record his second game in double figures this season.

The Jaspers return to action on Thursday at Siena before closing the regular season on Saturday against Mount St. Mary’s inside Draddy Gymnasium.

For the latest on the Manhattan College men's basketball program, follow the Jaspers on Twitter @JaspersMBB and Instagram @Jaspers.MBB.

Bronx Insider: Sports Desk: Manhattan Men's Basketball Collects Important Win at Fairfield.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jaspers Collect Important Win at Fairfield.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Manhattan held on at Fairfield for a 73-72 win on Sunday. It was the Jaspers’ eighth MAAC win of the year, which equals last year’s total.

The win moves Manhattan within half of a game of fifth in the MAAC standings. The fifth spot is the last spot that receives a bye in the MAAC Tournament in Atlantic City.

“That was a big-time road win. Anytime you can win on the road in conference play is huge,” said interim head coach RaShawn Stores. “We played well tonight but need to improve on the glass and make our free throws.”

Manhattan (10-15, 8-8 MAAC) survived a crazy final sequence that saw Fairfield (12-15, 8-9) attempt five free throws with less than one second remaining. The Stags had a chance to tie the game and force overtime with the free throws.

Ant Nelson put the Jaspers up 73-69 with 11 seconds to go after going 1-2 from the free throw line. On the ensuing Fairfield possession, with less than one second remaining, Jalen Leach was fouled shooting a 3-pointer. Leach made the first two and then missed the third on purpose. Supreme Cook was fouled on the miss and went to the line with three-tenths of a second remaining. Cook made the first to make it a 73-72 game but saw his second attempt go in and out.

Manhattan’s lead hovered around two possessions for most of the second half. Fairfield tied the game for the only time in the second half after a TJ Long 3-pointer tied it at 66. Nelson responded with a floater in the lane to reestablish a lead for the Jaspers with 2:06 remaining. Nelson and Samir Stewart hit critical free throws inside the final 90 seconds that kept the Jaspers in front.

Nelson finished with a game-high 24 points and added five assists against no turnovers. Also in double figures for Manhattan was Marques Watson with 12 points. Watson added three assists.

Offensively, the Jaspers shot 56-percent from the floor, which is the best so far this season. That was despite going just 3-14 from 3-point range. Manhattan got 24 points from its bench, with 17 coming from Adam Cisse and James Jewell. That only trails the 33 scored by reserves in the Jaspers' overtime loss to Iona.  

Long had 23 points to lead Fairfield. Cook finished with a double-double of 17 points and 17 rebounds.

The next game for the Jaspers is at home against Marist on Friday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m.

For the latest on the Manhattan College men's basketball program, follow the Jaspers on Twitter
@JaspersMBB and Instagram @Jaspers.MBB.

Bronx Insider: Sports Desk: Manhattan Men's Basketball Suffers Road Loss to Iona.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jaspers Suffer Road Loss to Iona Friday.

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Manhattan got a double-double from Josh Roberts in a 71-60 loss at Iona on Friday night.
 
In the losing effort, Roberts posted 14 points and 18 rebounds for Manhattan (9-15, 7-8 MAAC).
 
"Tough one tonight. We let them get going early, especially Clayton. We continue to battle," said interim head coach RaShawn Stores. "We lean on Josh a lot on the glass. We have to continue to stay together."
 
Iona (19-7, 12-3) hit six first-half 3-pointers and went 5-5 from the free-throw line to build a 35-24 advantage at the half. Manhattan only attempted one free throw in the first 20 minutes. The Jaspers and Gaels both shot under 40-percent in the opening half.
 
The second half started with a 10-1 Iona run to extend the lead to 20, 45-25. The Jaspers responded quickly with a 10-2 spurt over the next 2:39. Roberts supplied five in the stretch. The 10-2 spurt was part of a larger 17-9 run that brought the Jaspers to within 12, 54-42, with 10:33 to play. Ant Nelson had six, including a contested-one-handed floater in the lane.
 
Over the final 10 minutes, the Jaspers and Gaels played even, with Manhattan holding an 18-17 edge. Roberts had seven of the Jaspers' 18.
 
Nelson also posted 14 points on the night. The guard added five assists and three rebounds. Samir Stewart made it three Jaspers in double figures with 12. Adam Cisse came off the bench and chipped in seven points and eight rebounds.
 
Walter Clayton Jr. had a game-high 23 points to lead Iona. Daniss Jenkins and Nelly Junior Joseph had double-doubles for the Gaels.
 
The Jaspers return to action on Sunday at Fairfield. The Jaspers and Stags tip at 2 p.m. on ESPN3.
 
For the latest on the Manhattan College men's basketball program, follow the Jaspers on Twitter @JaspersMBB and Instagram @Jaspers.MBB.

Bronx Insider: Sports Desk: Manhattan Men's Basketball Tops Saint Peter's Saturday.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Strong First Half Defensively Leads Manhattan Past Saint Peter's.

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Manhattan used a strong defensive performance in the first half to earn a 68-52 win over Saint Peter’s on Sunday afternoon.

Saint Peter’s (10-14, 5-10 MAAC) was held to 14 first-half points on 23-percent shooting. The Jaspers forced 10 turnovers and outrebounded the Peacocks 25-14 over the opening 20 minutes.

“Rebounding was a big emphasis this week. Especially with Adam coming back and Logan playing some different roles helped us. Our effort on the glass was big today,” said interim head coach RaShawn Stores.

Manhattan (9-14, 7-7) used a 7-0 run kicked off by an Ant Nelson layup off the board to lead in the first half. The run put them up 10-4, which was only broken up by a Peacocks three-pointer.

However, due to the Jaspers’ strong offense and unrelenting defense, this rebellion was squashed, finishing the half leading by 14. Jaspers closed the half on a 10-2 run over the final 4:58. Manhattan didn’t allow a field goal over the stretch and saw four players score.

The second half paid off the strong defensive effort in the first half. The Jaspers extended the lead to 20-plus on three different occasions. Saint Peter’s didn’t get as close as 16 over the final 20 minutes.

Nick Brennen led the Jaspers in points, dropping 12 on two three-pointers. Nine of Brennen’s 12 points came after halftime to help the Jaspers keep the Peacocks at bay. Nelson, Marques Watson, and Samir Stewart followed, all scoring 11.

Josh Roberts played a large part despite only scoring six points, pulling down 16 of Manhattan’s 43 rebounds.

The best play of the afternoon was James Jewell and Stewart connecting on an ally oop in the first half. Jewell was found going baseline by Stewart, who put up a perfect pass for the freshman to slam home.  

The next game for the Jaspers is on Friday when they make the short trip to New Rochelle to face Iona at 7 p.m.

For the latest on the Manhattan College men's basketball program, follow the Jaspers on Twitter @JaspersMBB and Instagram @Jaspers.MBB.

Bronx Insider: Sports Desk: Manhattan Men's Basketball Falls in Matinee to First-Place Rider.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jaspers Fall in Matinee to First-Place Broncs.

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Manhattan finished its weekend with a loss against Rider, 67-56, and saw its two-game winning streak end.

“It was a tough one for our guys. We got out-rebounded by a large margin, and we have to do better starting games,” said interim head coach RaShawn Stores.

Scoring runs defined the first half. Manhattan (8-14, 6-7 MAAC) trailed by as many as 14 in the opening half after Rider (13-9, 10-3) a 17-3 run to take a 23-9 lead with seven minutes left. The Jaspers responded with a 9-2 spurt to reign the Broncs back in. The Broncs, who moved into sole possession of first place in the MAAC with the win, closed the half with 10 of the last 13 points over 3:12 to take a 35-21 advantage into the locker room.

The Jaspers used a 13-2 run at the beginning of the second half to get within eight, 43-35. At the end of the run, Ant Nelson answered back to a Rider bucket by connecting on a 3-pointer to bring the Jaspers within seven with 13 minutes to play.

Another bucket from Nelson and a 3-pointer from Nick Brennen brought Manhattan to within four, 47-43. Logan Padgett brought the Jaspers to within four again with a floater in the lane just past halfway in the half. Rider scored the next six points to restore a double-digit advantage. Manhattan would not get within six for the rest of the way.

Josh Roberts led the Jaspers with 14 points (7-9 FG). The forward added five rebounds. Stewart also finished with 14 on four 3-pointers and added three assists and two rebounds.

Nelson finished with 12 (3-11 FG). Nelson also added five rebounds as well as six assists. Brennen added 11 points.

Mervin James had a double-double with a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds. Ajiri Ogemuno-Johnson also recorded a double-double for the first-place Broncs. Rider outrebounded the Jaspers 44-27. James & Ogemuno-Johnson combined for 23.

The Jaspers have a week off before facing Saint Peter’s next Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m. inside Draddy.

For the latest on the Manhattan College men's basketball program, follow the Jaspers on Twitter @JaspersMBB and Instagram @Jaspers.MBB.

Bronx Insider: Sports Desk: Manhattan Men's Basketball Edges First-Place Siena in Overtime.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jaspers Edge First-Place Saints in Overtime.

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Nick Brennen hit a corner 3-pointer with 41 seconds to play in overtime to give Manhattan the lead and lift the Jaspers to a 71-66 win over Siena on Friday night in front of a raucous Draddy Gymnasium crowd.

Brennen’s game-winning triple was his only make from behind the arc on the night.

Manhattan (8-13, 6-6 MAAC) outscored Siena (15-8, 9-3) 14-9 in overtime. To get to the extra period, Ant Nelson forced overtime with a layup with four seconds to play in regulation.

“Big time win. We fell short a few times this season, and to see these young men battle and Jasper Nation’s support was big time. They give these guys a lot of energy,” said interim head coach RaShawn Stores.

“We need [Jasper Nation’s] energy. It fuels us. It means a lot; we need them at every game,” said Brennen after the game.

The Jaspers closed the second half on a 10-4 run over the final 3:08. Samir Stewart started the run with a 3-pointer to get Manhattan within three, 53-50. After an Andrew Platek triple, the Jaspers scored their next five points from the free throw line to pull within one, 56-55.

Jarred Billups went 1-2 from the line for the Saints with 10 seconds to play to set up Nelson’s game-tying layup at the other end. Nelson got past Michael Baer at the 3-point line and finished with his left hand at the rim.

“Coach drew a play for [Samir] to come off a stagged screen. I then read the defense and got to the rim,” said Nelson.

Siena led by seven at the break, its largest lead of the night, after scoring six points inside the final 62 seconds of the opening 20 minutes. Manhattan was able to keep pace out of the gate in the second half, slowly chipped away at the deficit, and eventually took the lead through a Logan Padgett triple to make it 41-39 with 10:19 to play.

Nelson finished with a team-high 19 points. The guard added three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Stewart finished with 15 points, and Brennen added 12.

The Jaspers grabbed 33 rebounds on the night, and Josh Roberts grabbed more than half of them (17) to equal his career high.

Platek finished with a game-high 22 points to pace Siena. Baer led the way on the glass with 14 rebounds.

The Jaspers return to action on Sunday against Rider at 2 p.m. inside Draddy Gymnasium. Rider is tied for first in the MAAC with Siena and has won six straight.

For the latest on the Manhattan College men's basketball program, follow the Jaspers on Twitter @JaspersMBB and Instagram @Jaspers.MBB.