Manhattan University Athletics

RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan men's basketball team won its first home game of the season 79-67 against Felician at Draddy Gymnasium. 
 
"You got to go four guards. This is not a normal game", said head coach Gallagher. "I knew what we were up against. I love our defense. We came out and played our way, Jasper intensity." 
 
The Jaspers (2-1) were led in scoring tonight by freshman Seydou Traore scoring his first double-double of the season with a career-high 19 points and 15 rebounds. Brett Rumpel recorded 16 points and six assists. Shaquil Bender tallied 16 points and four assists.  
 
Felician (3-1) started off strong, leading to a 39-35 advantage over Manhattan at the break. The Golden Falcons led by as many as nine points, including a 7-0 run midway through the first. 
 
Coming out of the break, Manhattan gathered itself and slowly but surely made its comeback. Shaquil Bender went on a scoring sprres, scoring all 16 of his points in the second half. Traore scored 10 points, giving the duo 26 of Manhattan's 44 second-half points. 
 
Manhattan outscored Felician 44-28 in the second half to earn the victory in its home opener.
 
Felician's Justin Davis led the team with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Johnny Trovar added 11 points, seven rebounds, and four blocked shots. The Golden Falcons shot 44.6 percent from the floor and 37.0 percent from three-point range.
 
Manhattan will travel to Connecticut to play Central Connecticut State at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18 They will then paly UConn in Hartford on Friday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. at the XL Center.     
 
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