Box Score
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - Rico Pickett exploded for a career-high 32 points, but his last second 3-point heave rattled in and then out as Manhattan (7-14, 2-9) was edged 74-71 at Rider (12-11, 5-6) on Thursday. Broncs' guard Justin Robinson scored his team's final five points, including a 3-pointer with 35 seconds remaining to send Rider past Manhattan.
Pickett put on a pure scoring performance in the first half erupting for 28 points on 12-for-18 shooting. He was just two points shy of the program's record for points in a half held by Henry Seawright who tallied 30 in a period against Saint Peter's during the 1969-70 season.
The junior guard from Alabama got the Jaspers rolling scoring 11 points over a game opening 13-4 run. Pickett even closed the half strong posting the Jaspers' final eight points as he concluded his scoring clinic with back-to-back 3s and a double pump scoop lay up which led Manhattan into the locker room with a 39-30 lead.
Manhattan led by as many as 12 points in the first half and the Jaspers maintained their advantage for the final 17:29. The Jaspers shot a sweltering 54.8% (17-31) and Pickett buried all four 3-pointers.
Pickett tallied his 30th point just 17 seconds into the second period on a jumper from the corner, which got a friendly bounce. It was the first time a Jasper delivered a 30-point performance since March 1, 2009 when Darryl Crawford finished with a career-high 33 points at Saint Peter's.
Rider's defense swarmed Pickett for the rest of the contest limiting him to just two more points, but their focus allowed Crawford to heat up as he scored all 15 of his points in the second half.
Broncs' guard Ryan Thompson also got going and over nearly an eight minute span he scored 12 points during an 18-6 run which gave Rider its first advantage since leading by two 76 seconds into the game. Thompson and sophomore forward Novar Gadson converted back-to-back 3-pointers and with 9:49 remaining as the Broncs took a 50-49 lead.
The lead traded sides eight more times in the period.
Manhattan held a three point edge with 2:29 left after senior guard Antoine Pearson sank a lay up to give the Jaspers a 65-62 lead at 2:29. Pearson finished with six points in 25 minutes off the bench.
After Robinson's first of two 3-pointers in the final two minutes, Pickett made a tip in to put the Jaspers up one, and then freshman guard Mohamed Koita had a two handed dunk off a back door cut to go back up 70-69 with 59 seconds on the clock. Koita scored five points and grabbed three rebounds in a reserve role.
Robinson answered back knocking down a trey with the shot clock running down to regain a 72-70 advantage. He sank two more free-throws with nine seconds left for his 16th point and a three point cushion.
The Jaspers missed a chance to send the game to overtime as Pickett's contested 3-pointer after a timeout rolled out at the buzzer. Pickett, the MAAC's leading scorer, pulled down three rebounds in 38 minutes.
Manhattan received solid production from junior forward Andrew Gabriel who had eight points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. The Jaspers shot 45.6% from the field and converted 14-of-18 free-throws in the team's sixth straight loss.
Thompson led four Broncs in double-figures with 25 points. Rider scored 44 second half points.
Manhattan looks to snap its recent skid on Sunday when the Jaspers travel to Jersey City for a showdown with Saint Peter's. Tip off is schedule for 2 p.m. and the contest will air live nationally on ESPNU.
