Box Score
NEWARK, N.J. ? Chris Smith poured in 16 points and Devon Austin added 12 to lift the Manhattan men's basketball team (1-0) to a 56-32 victory over New Jersey Institute of Technology (0-1) this afternoon in Newark, N.J. The loss extends the Highlanders consecutive game losing streak to 34 tying Sacramento State (Dec. 22, 1997 ? Jan. 27, 1999) for the NCAA Division I record. The teams' 88 combined points marks the lowest total output in program history since the Jaspers 44-42 overtime loss to Fordham in the 1985 MAAC Tournament.
“It is always nice to get a win, and it is good to start our season with a win,” stated third year head coach Barry Rohrssen.
The Jaspers began the game with a 13-0 run which lasted nearly 12 minutes. Manhattan scored 12 of its first 13 points in the paint. Smith delivered back-to-back field goals over this stretch and displayed his athleticism at the 13:30 mark when he drove baseline, knocking down a soaring jumper.
NJIT snapped its scoring drought with 8:03 remaining in the first half when Justin Garris knocked down his first of two 3-pointers. Garris finished with 11 points.
Manhattan forced the Highlanders into 10 turnovers and 0-for-8 shooting from the field in the first 11:57 minutes.
“We started off the game playing well defensively,” confirmed Rohrssen.
NJIT pulled within five (15-10) with 4:21 left in the first half. Highlanders forward Gary Garris drained a 3-point bucket to cap the mini offensive surge.
The Jaspers answered on the next possession when sophomore forward Andrew Gabriel penetrated into the paint and connected on a layup. This basket sparked an 11-0 Manhattan run to close the half.
The Jaspers led 26-10 at intermission.
Gary Garris started the second half with a 3-pointer to bring NJIT within 13, but the Jaspers responded again with eight consecutive unanswered points and never looked back. Gary Garris led all scorers with 17 points on 6-for-14 shooting. The Garris brothers combined for 28 of the Highlanders 32 points.
Austin gave Manhattan its largest lead of the contest (28) with 4:34 remaining when he knocked down a free-throw to finish a 3-point play. He was 3-for-3 from the line.
Eight different players contributed to the Jaspers scoring column, while only four Highlanders registered points.
Manhattan senior center Herve Banogle grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds and junior point guard Patrick Bouli collected seven.
The Jaspers held NJIT to just 23.3% (10-43) from the field and 23.5% (4-17) beyond the arc. Manhattan went 37.3% from the floor.
Manhattan returns to Riverdale for its home opener on Wednesday against defending MEAC regular-season champ Morgan State. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. at Draddy Gymnasium.
