Manhattan University Athletics

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UNCASVILLE, Conn. - Fueled by a strong first half, Northeastern defeated Manhattan 65-51 in the Championship Game of the 2014 Hall Of Fame Tip-Off Tournament at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

The Huskies improve to 4-0 with the win while the Jaspers fall to 1-3.

In defeat, junior Tyler Wilson (Bronx, N.Y. / Cardinal Hayes) had a strong game, finishing with 12 points, on 5-of-7 shooting, to go along with four assists and three steals.

Thanks to an early 7-0 run, Northeastern jumped out to a 15-9 lead only to see Manhattan repond with five-straight points. After senior Emmy Andujar (Bronx, N.Y. / Rice) hit this layup classmate RaShawn Stores (Bronx, N.Y. / Robinson School (N.J.)) knocked down this three pointer to trim the Huskies' lead to 15-14.

Unfortunately, Northeastern took control in the first half thanks to an 18-1 run, including 11-straight over a four-plus minute stretch to open up a 33-15 advantage with just over seven minutes to play. Junior Ashton Pankey (Bronx, N.Y. / Maryland) briefly stopped the bleeding with this layup as the lead would grow to a half-high 22 before Andujar hit a layup to trim the deficit to 44-24 at the break.

In the opening stanza, the preseason Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) favorite made good on 66.7 percent (16-for-24) from the floor, including 66.7 percent (4-for-6) from deep, and converted all eight free throws. The Jaspers, meanwhile, hit on six of its first nine shots before misfiring on nine-straight en route to converting on just 4-of-19 (.211) to end the period.

After intermission the Huskies quickly stretched the lead out 23 before Manhattan made things interesting. Wilson hit the first of his five second-half field goals before freshman Calvin Crawford (Middletown, N.Y. / St. Thomas More (Conn.)) banked in this three. Pankey then tipped in an errant Jasper shot and Wilson hit another layup to cap a 9-0 run while trimming the deficit to 48-34 with just under 14 minute remaining.

Northeastern would break its drought with a three pointer and a pair from the line only to see Stores convert a four-point play and one more at the line to again trim the deficit to 14. However, Manhattan would be unable to get any further the rest of the way and despite a late 8-2 spurt dropped a 65-51 decision.

For the game, the Huskies shot 55.3 percent (21-for-38) from the floor, but just 35.7 percent (5-for-14) after the break, and was turned over 23 times by a tenacious Jasper defense. Manhattan, meanwhile, made good on 37.7 percent (20-for-53) from the field and 27.8 percent (5-for-18) from deep.

Scott Eatherton scored 22 points while grabbing eight rebounds while Zach Stahl added 16 points and eight rebounds to lead the way for Northeastern.

Pankey added nine points while Stores contributed eight markers to round out the top scorers for the Jaspers.

Manhattan will look to rebound at George Mason on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m.