Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan men's basketball team's second half rally came up short as the Jaspers fell 56-53 to local MAAC rival Iona (14-6, 6-3 MAAC) on Friday in Riverdale. The Gaels offset a game-high 22 points from Jaspers' guard Rico Pickett to snap Manhattan's (7-12, 2-7 MAAC) three game series win streak in Draddy Gymnasium. Darryl Crawford contributed 17 points in the Jaspers fourth consecutive loss.
Manhattan erased an 11 point second half deficit and used a 15-3 run to go up 50-49 with just under seven minutes remaining. Pickett exploded for nine points during the surge, while Crawford sank two of his three 3-pointers on a perfect shooting night from beyond the arc. Pickett got the Jaspers over the hump in an uphill battle with a lay up at 6:59 giving the Manhattan its first lead since holding a two point edge 3:32 into the contest.
Gaels' forward Alejo Rodriquez sank a free-throw to even the contest at 50-50, but Jaspers' senior forward Brandon Adams responded with a pair of his own free-throws to regain a two point lead with 5:57 remaining. Adams added five rebounds to his stat line.
Jermel Jenkins tied the game at 52-52 with a jumper and the Gaels proceed to score four of the final five points to secure the victory. Reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week Kyle Smyth sealed the deal with a pair of free-throws with two seconds remaining after a defensive stop which forced a turnover by Pickett.
Smyth scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Gaels' freshman guard Rashard McGill posted 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
Manhattan limited Iona to just 56 points, its third lowest scoring output of the season. The Gaels entered the game averaging 68.6 points.
Manhattan outrebounded Iona 44-38. The Jaspers best rebounding performance of the year was led by newcomer Mohamed Koita who finished with eight rebounds in his first collegiate contest. Crawford added seven boards on a 6-for-10 shooting night to go along with five steals. Senior guard Patrick Bouli had six rebounds.
The Jaspers look to rebound on Sunday when they host Siena at 2 p.m. in Draddy Gymnasium. It is the second time in six days Manhattan will square off with the Saints.
