Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan raced out to a 43-21 halftime lead and its lead never dropped below 23 points the rest of the way in an 87-61 win over Nyack in an exhibition game against Nyack College on Friday night at Draddy Gymnasium.
The Jaspers scored the game's first six points, on layups by George Beamon, Rhamel Brown and Donovan Kates to take a quick 6-0 advantage. Brown showed why he is a two-time MAAC Defensive Player of the Year by swatting away three Nyack shots in the first six minutes of the game, establishing Manhattan's interior presence early.
Manhattan's stifling defense held Nyack to 28.6 percent shooting in the first half, while the Jaspers made 10 of their 22 field goals on its way to a 22-point halftime edge.
Beamon scored Manhattan's first seven points of the second half to extend Manhattan's lead to 50-22 at the 18:16 mark. After a Shane Richards three ball and two free throws by Ashton Pankey, the Jaspers held their largest lead of the game, 61-23 with 14:41 remaining.
With Manhattan ahead 71-41, the Jaspers' two freshman guards, Tyler Wilson fed Rich Williams on a pretty alley oop dunk that delighted the crowd. Richards followed with back to back three-pointers to make it a 79-43 game with eight minutes remaining.
Beamon led all scorers with 27 points, connecting on 13 of 15 free throws. Richards followed with 19 points. Pankey posted six points and 10 rebounds in 12 minutes, while Kates narrowly missed a double double with nine points and 11 boards.
"I'm happy with the result and the effort of the guys tonight," said head coach Steve Masiello after the game. "We didn't do alot of things well. We have alot of room for improvement, but overall, a good night for us and a small step in the right direction."
Will Robinson made 8-of-16 from the field to lead Nyack with 19 points and seven rebounds.
Manhattan starts the 2013-14 regular season on the road at La Salle on Saturday, November 9 at 2 p.m. in Philadelphia.
NOTES:
Every played who dressed for Manhattan appeared in the game ... the Jaspers had 17 assists on 24 field goals ... Tyler Wilson had eight points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals ... the Jaspers held Nyack to 18.8 percent shooting from three-point range ... Manhattan out-rebounded Nyack 51-29 and 15-8 on the offensive glass ... 58 fouls were called in the game ... attendance was 1,346 for the exhibition game.