The Matchup
Manhattan enters today's contest coming off a 83-71 defeat at Fairfield on Friday evening before a crowd of 2,680. Despite placing four players in double figures, including freshman guard Chris Smith's 21 point performance, the Jaspers had trouble stopping Stags guard Jonathan Han. Han scored 18 of his 21 points in the second half to lead Fairfield. The loss snapped a three game MAAC winning streak the Jaspers held. Devon Austin complemented Smith with 14 points of his own. He also pulled down six boards. Jasper guards Antoine Pearson and Darryl Crawford each posted 11 points on the evening. Pearson missed just one shot all night going 4-5 from the field and 2-2 from the charity stripe. Manhattan struggled from the free-throw line going 13-22 (59.1%).
Iona is also coming off a MAAC road loss on Friday evening as it fell to Marist 67-60 at the McCann Center. Junior forward Gary Springer finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds marking his fifth double-double of the season. Teammate Devon Clarke contributed a team-high 16 points in the losing effort. The Gaels have lost four of their last five contests, including a 81-63 loss in its O'Reilly ESPNU Bracketbusters matchup with Hofstra at Hynes Athletic Center. Dexter Gray, a senior forward, stands as Iona's top scorer averaging 11.2 points per game.
What's Next???
The 2008 MAAC Men's Basketball Championships kick off on Friday, March 7th at the Times Union Center in Albany. The majority of the tournament can be seen on MSG and MAAC TV. Monday's championship game airs live on ESPN2 at 7 p.m.
Last Time Out
Manhattan stumbled through the gate, and played catch up throughout its first contest with the Gaels on Jan. 30 at Madison Square Garden eventually falling 62-60. The Jaspers stingy defense down the stretch held Iona to just one field goal over the final six minutes to close out the game with a 13-2 run. Although, that field goal proved to be the difference as Manhattan's two shot attempts in the final seconds of regulation came up just short allowing Iona to escape with a two point victory. It marked the Gaels first win over Manhattan in two years, and snapped a four game losing streak. Four Jaspers scored in double-figures, including a team-high 15 points from sophomore guard Antoine Pearson. Freshman guard Rashad Green had a sound all around performance finishing with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists. Iona's Gary Springer posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the winning effort.
