Riverdale, NY — Manhattan overcame a 10-point second half deficit to win the Battle of the Bronx 64-60. Jose Perez came up with a big block and hit a free throw with 15 seconds left to clinch the win. Before that, Samir Stewart hit the go ahead three with 34 seconds left to put the Jaspers up for good. Elijah Buchanan finished with 17 points and seven rebounds and was crowned the Battle of the Bronx Player of the Game for the second time after taking home the honors in 2019.
Fordham jumped out to an 11-2 lead and entered the break leading 31-27. The Rams stayed on top through their success from the line with their last field goal make coming with seven minutes left in the first half. Manhattan closed the half on an 8-2 run which culminated with a step back jumper from Buchanan.
Manhattan clawed their way back with the help of Buchanan, Perez and Warren Williams. After a quiet first half, Williams came alive and poured in 13 of his 14 points in the second half alone. He went 6-of-10 from the line. Stewart racked up 11 points and hit the only two Jasper threes on the night.
Perez had a knack for the big play when his team needed him the most. With 5:57 left, Perez drove the length of the court and drew the and one on a tough finish. The ensuing free throw from Perez cut the Fordham lead to two at 53-51. He finished with 10 points and seven assists in his first ever appearance in the Battle of the Bronx.
Buchanan found success going to the hoop and off the midrange. He was an efficient 8-of-13 on the night and was instrumental in leading the Manhattan comeback.
"Every time this game [Battle of the Bronx] comes up I don't want to let my team down," Buchanan said after the game.
Manhattan Head Coach Steve Masiello was proud of the way his team closed out the game after trailing all but the final 34 seconds of the game. The Jaspers would close the game on a 10-2 run.
"I thought our kids showed great grit," Masiello said after the game."We played for the front of our jersey and not what was on the back of it."
Manhattan forced Fordham into 26 turnovers and a 3-of-15 performance from three. The Jaspers also won the offensive rebounding battle 15-10 with Williams and Samba Diallo leading Manhattan with six boards apiece. Manhattan bigs were matched up with Chuba Ohams who went for 17 points and 18 rebounds but was forced into making eight turnovers by Manhattan.
The Jaspers now lead 59-54 in the all-time series between the schools. Friday's game marked the first meeting between Masiello and first-year Fordham Head Coach Kyle Neptune.
Manhattan now hits the road to face Old Dominion on Monday, November 15. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
