RIVERDALE, N.Y. –
Ant Nelson and
Marques Watson combined for 37 points, but it wasn't enough for Manhattan in a 76-69 loss to Monmouth on Sunday afternoon.
The loss snaps Manhattan's (3-4) two-game winning streak.
Interim head coach
RaShawn Stores said postgame, "We have to figure out how to start games better and continue to limit live ball turnovers. We also have to convert on our trips to the free throw line."
Nelson finished with a season-high 21 points before fouling out. Watson supplied 16 off the bench for the Jaspers. Watson was 6-9 from the floor.
Myles Ruth led Monmouth (1-8) with 21 points (6-12). Tahron Allen and Jack Collins contributed 12 each for the Hawks.
The Monmouth offense started fast, scoring eight of the first 10 points of the game and building a double-digit lead inside the first eight minutes of the contest. The Hawks built a 15 point-lead by halftime and extended the lead to its largest, 17, with 15:36 to play in the second half.
After Monmouth built the 17-point lead, 55-38, Manhattan responded with a 12-2 run over the next 3:56 to cut the deficit to seven, 57-50. Nelson supplied seven during the stretch. The Jaspers eventually got it to six, 71-65, after
Samir Stewart hit a 3-pointer with 3:15 to play.
Watson got the Jaspers to within three with less than a minute remaining after connecting on a jumper. Manhattan got a defensive stop with a
Josh Roberts' block on the next Monmouth possession, but the Jaspers turned it over in the backcourt. The Hawks would hit its free throws to preserve the win.
Roberts finished six points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. For the game, Monmouth shot 51-percent from the floor. In the first half, Monmouth hit 64-percent from the field. That is the highest percentage Manhattan has an opponent to shoot this season.
Manhattan returns to action on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Providence. The tip-off between the Jaspers and Friars is at 8:30 on FS1.
