Manhattan University Athletics

Riverdale, N.Y. (November 23, 2007)- After celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday, Manhattan gets back in action on Saturday, November 24, hosting St. Francis-N.Y. College at Draddy Gymnasium in the second game of a three-game homestand.  The game is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m.

Today's Matchup: The Jaspers continue a three-game home stand with a game against St. Francis-N.Y. College on Saturday, November 24. The game is the second game of a double header, with the Lady Jaspers hosting Stony Brook at 4:00 p.m. The Jaspers lead the all-time series, 50-18, and has won seven of the last nine meetings. The two NYC school resumed their series in 2005-06 in what was an annual meeting from 1961-1988. Last season, the Terriers posted a 76-73 overtime win in Brooklyn. Darryl Crawford tallied 14 points and five rebounds for Manhattan.

What's Next?: Following today's game, the Jaspers conclude a three game homestand with the 100th Battle of the Bronx game, as Manhattan hosts boro rival Fordham University on Wednesday, November 28 at 7:00 p.m. Manhattan leads the all-time series, 51-48, and has won 13 of the last 16 meetings in what has been an annual rivalry since the 1922-23 season, with the exception of a two-year hiatus during World War II. The series began in the 1911-12 season, with the Jaspers posting a 20-19 victory. Last season, the Rams posted a 70-66 win. Jamel Ferguson tallied 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists for the Jaspers, while Patrick Bouli pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

All-time record: Manhattan is in its 102nd season of men's basketball. The Jaspers' overall record is 1205-1041 (.537), while the team has posted a 201-202 (.499) record over 26 seasons of MAAC play. The men's basketball program was established in 1904-05 and has taken two seasons off (1943-44 and 1944-45) due to World War II. In 55 of the program's 101-plus seasons, including the four of the last six seasons, the Jaspers have posted a .500 or better record. Manhattan's 200 MAAC wins makes them just the second MAAC team to reach 200 wins in conference, joining Iona College.

Familiar Faces, Familiar Places: Tha coaching staff for the Jaspers should know several of their opponents well, as the current Manhattan staff has worked for the men's basketball programs at three school on the Jaspers' schedule this season. Assistant Coach John Alesi served as a graduate assistant at Hofstra University in the 2003-04 season. Assistant Coach Edgar De La Rosa served as an assistant coach at Fordham University from 1994-99, assistant coach Ron Ganulin served as an assistant coach at Saint Peter's College from 1982-85, and Ganulin and head coach Barry Rohrssen coached at St. Francis-N.Y. College. Ganulin was the head coach for the Terriers from 1991-2005, while Rohrssen served as an assistant coach at St. Francis from 1993-95. Both Rohrssen and De La Rosa graduted from St. Francis in 1983, and both played basketball for the Terriers.

Jaspers Live on the Internet: For the 10th consecutive year, Manhattan College's men's basketball games will be broadcast live via the Internet. In partnership with Stretch Internet, followers of Manhattan basketball can now access the live play-by-play of all Jasper games. A link to the broadcast is available on Manhattan College's website (GoJaspers.com). Ed Cohen and Brian Mahoney will serve as the voices of Jasper basketball. Each broadcast will begin with the "Coach's Pre-Game Report" 15 minutes prior to tip-off.

Player-Coach-Broadcaster, An All-Time Jasper: Brian Mahoney handles the color commentary for the Jaspers' men's and women's basketball teams, but his connection to Manhattan College runs much deeper. Mahoney is a 1971 graduate of Manhattan College and has also served as the head men's basketball coach at his alma mater. Mahoney, who was inducted into the Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998, tallied 1,289 points over his four year playing career as a Jasper (1968-71), and ranks 13th on the all-time scoring list. Following his senior season, in which he averaged 20.6 points per game and earned All-East honors, Mahoney was drafted in the fifth round of the NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He coached the Jaspers from 1978-81, posting a 16-62 record. Mahoney also coached at St. John's, and was named Big East Coach of the Year in 1993. In 2004-05, Mahoney was named one of the top 20 Jaspers from the first 100 years, and was recognized as part of a special ceremony at halftime of the game against Long Beach State.