Riverdale, NY – The Jaspers would earn a hard fought victory against the Fairleigh Dickinson in Draddy Gymnasium with a final score of 78-73. The Jaspers record improves to 5-1 in non-conference play heading into the start of MAAC play later this week.
Manhattan would close the first half with a six-point deficit to the Knights, trailing 35-41. During the first 20 minutes of the game, the Jaspers would outrebound FDU 17-15 and would score more points in the paint with 28. The Jaspers defense helped Manhattan to take advantage with 17 of their first half points coming from FDU turnovers.
In the second half, the Jaspers were able to turn the tables, improving their shooting percentage to 48.1 from a 46.4 percent. Five from the Manhattan lineup would score in double-digits among them being
Samir Stewart (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and
Warren Williams (Kingston, Jamaica) with 14,
Samba Diallo (Rufisque, Senegal) with 13,
Jose Perez (Bronx, NY) with 12 and
Josh Roberts (Troy, AL) adding ten. The team would add an impressive eight blocks and eight steals to the night's resume.
The Jaspers came out of the gate hot around the 12 minute mark in the second going on a 6-0 run leading to a two point deficit. A hard offensive play off of the steal from Stewart would send Perez to the line where he went 2-0 from the charity stripe and put the Jaspers within one to the Knights was the turning point in the game. Stewart would help the Jaspers reclaim the lead at the 8:56 mark with a long range three point.
A back and forth battle at the end, FDU would reclaim the lead at 1:10, only for
Warren Williams to take it back a few seconds later. From that point forward, it was Manhattan's game and the Jaspers would not relinquish the lead for their fifth win of the season.
On the night, the Jaspers were led by Stewart who added a steal and three rebounds to his point production, as well as Williams who would finish the night with seven rebounds and a pair of blocks.
Fairleigh Dickinson was led by John Square, Jr. with 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks. The Knight's record is now 0-6,
Manhattan College will travel to Albany, NY to take on the Siena Saints on Friday, Dec. 3 at 7:00 p.m. to open conference play.
