Box Score
ORLANDO, FLA. - Freshman forward Rhamel Brown led the Jaspers' with his second double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds), but the Manhattan men's basketball team could not slow down Texas A&M forward Khris Middleton whose 20 points helped the Aggies to a 74-45 victory on Friday at the Old Spice Classic. George Beamon contributed 10 points and Kidani Brutus added nine more as a young Manhattan (2-3) team dropped its second game in as many days against stiff competition at the Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Fla.
Manhattan dug itself out of a 17-point first half deficit, using a 13-4 run over the first seven minutes after halftime to pull within five points of the Aggies. Freshman point guard Michael Alvarado scored five points during the surge, including a 3-point play to make a 43-38 contest with 12:49 remaining. Alvarado finished with seven points, four rebounds and two steals playing 36 minutes for the second straight day.
Texas A&M (4-1) off set the Jaspers comeback bid with Middleton's third trey of a four 3-point field goal outing, which sparked nine unanswered points for the Aggies. Middleton, who entered the game averaging a team-high 15.3 points per game, shot 6-for-12 from the field, 4-for-6 beyond the arc and a perfect 4-for-4 at the free-throw line.
Working with a depleted roster due to several injuries this season, the Jaspers line up simply ran out of steam during the final 10 minutes of the contest as the Aggies pulled away with a 22-7 game closing run. Texas A&M senior point guard B.J. Holmes scored 12 points and reserve forward Kourtney Roberson added 12 more to the Aggies 10-man scoring attack.
Manhattan's shots were not falling against the Aggies as the Jaspers suffered from a 30.9% field goal mark, 12.5% 3-point rate and 56.3% shooting percentage from the charity stripe. Texas A&M converted 41.8% (23-55) of its shot attempts, including 38.5% (10-for-26) from beyond the arc. The Aggies sank 18-of-24 (75.0%) free-throw opportunities.
The Jaspers' pesky 1-3-1 defense helped force 13 turnovers. Manhattan had eight steals and five blocks in the contest. Brown was responsible for four steals and two blocks. Junior forward Robert Martina also had two blocks to go along with two rebounds and two points.
Texas A&M hurt Manhattan with 17 second chance points, 18 points off turnovers and 26 points off the bench. The outsized Jaspers came up on the short end of a 43-31 rebounding battle.
Manhattan plays its third and final game at the Old Spice Classic on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. The Jaspers will face the loser of Georgia/Temple. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.com.
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