Box Score Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF)
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. - Niagara shot 59.5 percent (25-for-42) from the floor, including 53.8 percent (7-for-13) from long range, en route to posting a 73-61 victory over Manhattan at the Gallagher Center.
The Purple Eagles improve to 3-8 and 2-1 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) while the Jaspers fall to 4-8 and 1-2 in the league.
Niagara jumped out to an early 19-10 lead with 13:18 to play in the first half thanks to hitting eight of its first 10 shots. Later in the first with the lead still at nine, the Purple Eagles scored eight-straight points to extend their advantage out to 32-15 at the 6:03 mark.
Junior Shane Richards (New York, N.Y. / York Prep) briefly quelled the momentum with a pair of three pointers only to see Niagara respond with a half-ending 8-3 run in taking a 42-24 lead into the break.
In the first half, the Purple Eagles shot a blistering 65.2 percent (15-for-23), including 55.6 percent (5-for-9) from deep, while posting a 21-6 advantage on the glass.
After halftime, the lead briefly reached 20 on a pair of occasions before junior Ashton Pankey (Bronx, N.Y. / Maryland) hit back-to-back layups to spark a 13-3 run over the next 3:21 while slicing the deficit to 49-39 with 14:34 remaining. During the push, senior Emmy Andujar (Bronx, N.Y. / Rice) scored five points while freshman Zane Waterman (Winston-Salem, N.C. / Fayetteville Academy) added four.
Unfortunately, Niagara answered with six-straight points to keep the Jaspers at bay.
Manhattan would continue to fight and trim the lead to 60-51 with 7:20 remaining following a Pankey layup but would get no closer in falling 73-61.
Pankey scored 10 of his team-high 11 points after halftime while pulling down a team-best eight rebounds. Andujar (9) and Richards (9) each narrowly missed hitting for double-digits while senior RaShawn Stores (Bronx, N.Y. / Robinson School (N.J.) handed out a career-high matching six assists.
The Jaspers shot just 36.1 percent (22-for-61) for the game, including 30.4 percent (7-for-23) from long range, but did force the Purple Eagles into 19 turnovers.
Niagara was led by Matt Scott, who scored 23 points off the bench.
Manhattan returns to action at Canisius on Sunday, Jan. 4 with opening tip slated for 2 p.m.
