RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Binghamton senior guards Richard Forbes and Mike Gordon combined for 47 points to lead the Bearcats to a 66-56 victory over Manhattan (11-16) this afternoon at Draddy Gymnasium as part of the O'Reilly ESPNU Bracketbusters series. Forbes equaled a career-high with 27 points. Prior to the contest, the Jaspers honored lone senior Franck Traore during its Senior Day ceremony.
Manhattan saw its largest lead with 8:25 remaining in the first half earning a 20-14 edge courtesy of a pair of Chris Smith free-throws. Smith was a perfect 5-5 from the line and finished with a team-high 14 points.
Binghamton (13-14) gained momentum just before intermission posting eight unanswered points over the final 1:41. Gordon knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers, and forced an Antoine Pearson turnover that resulted in a easy lay-up by Chretien Lukusa to take a 34-26 advantage into the break.
Gordon finished with 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Forbes connected on two buckets within the first minute of the second half forcing a Manhattan timeout. This capped off a 12-0 Bearcat run.
Manhattan responded with seven straight points to cut its deficit to 38-33 with 15:45 remaining. Rashad Green capped off the short surge with midrange jumper. He finished with eight points, eight rebounds and three steals.
The Jaspers wouldn't get closer as Binghamton possessed a double-digit lead for the majority of the second half and held on for the victory in the programs' inaugural meeting.
Devon Austin and Antoine Pearson also scored in double-figures for the Jaspers. Austin had 11 points, while Pearson finished with 12 on 4-8 shooting.
The Bearcats outrebounded Manhattan 32-22 and outscored the Jaspers 24-4 in the paint.
The loss snaps Manhattan's three game winning streak. The Jaspers return to action on Friday to square off with Fairfield in Bridgeport, Conn. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
