RIVERDALE, N.Y. — Manhattan closed Saturday's game vs. Niagara on a 27-13 run to post a 72-65 win, snapping a two-game losing streak. The Manhattan faithful in attendance erupted during the Jaspers' closing run which allowed Manhattan to improve 3-4 in MAAC play and 8-8 overall.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Both teams came out of the gate slow, as Niagara led 5-3 at the first media timeout (15:48).
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Trailing 13-5 following a three from Niagara's Jahari Williamson, the Jaspers punched back with a 6-0 run on threes from Wesley Robinson and Devin Dinkins at the 12-minute mark.
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After a pair of baskets from Niagara, Masiah Gilyard answered with a three of his own to cut the Jaspers' deficit to 17-14 at the 8:55 mark.
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Niagara stretched their lead back to eight once again on a strong drive by Justice Smith, making the score 24-16 with 6:33 left in the first half.
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Then, a nice two-man game between Alijah Curry and Shaquil Bender led to a jumper by Curry on an assist from Bender, sparking a 9-0 run for Manhattan to put the Jaspers ahead 25-24. Dinkins added his second three of the game during the spurt.
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Behind Dinkins' hot hand, Manhattan went into the locker room with a 36-32 lead at halftime.
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Niagara opened the second half on a 6-0 run, retaking the lead in the process after a basket from Zion Russell and a pair of baskets from Jhaylon Martinez.
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Dinkins' three-pointer at the 17:16 mark rattled home to put Manhattan back on top, 39-38.
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Three more lead changes later, Niagara extended their lead to the largest of the half (5) to that point following a three from Justice Smith on an assist from Will Shortt. The Purple Eagles led 48-43 with 12:35 left.
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After Niagara went up 7 following a highlight reel-worthy dunk from Josiah Davis, Manhattan retaliated with a 10-0 run which put Manhattan in the driver's seat. Robinson delivered six points during the run, including a massive dunk over Shortt which cut the Jaspers' deficit to one.
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Niagara's last lead came at 56-55 following a pair of three throws from Jaeden Marshall with 4:46 left. Manhattan closed on a 17-9 run to win it.
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Manhattan's final stretch included a huge and-one finish by Gilyard, as well as a three by the Brooklyn native which extended the Jaspers' lead to a game-high eight with 1:12 left.
STATS AND NOTES
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Gilyard finished with 18 points, tying a D1 career-high. He added a D1 career-high 13 rebounds, to go along with four steals and three assists. Gilyard's double-double count is up to two as a Jasper.
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Gilyard has a combined eight steals over the past two games.
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Dinkins' five threes were a new career-high in a single game. The junior guard is shooting 46.5% (33-71) from three this season which ranks second in the MAAC.
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Robinson's 20 points matched a D1 career-high. He originally set the career-high when he scored 20 points at Wagner on 4-9 shooting from three.
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Over his past two games, Robinson is 4-8 (50%) from three.
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Leading-scorer Will Sydnor was held scoreless on Saturday, going 0-5.
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Manhattan is 4-3 at home this season including 2-1 in conference tilts played inside Draddy Gymnasium.
QUOTES FROM MANHATTAN
Manhattan head coach John Gallagher on today's win to break the two-game losing streak: "That was a big win. Obviously, you have to take care of home court. Niagara came ready to play, but we found a way to win."
Gallagher on Robinson, Dinkins and Gilyard who combined for 58 points vs. Niagara: "I thought certain guys really stepped up…Wes and Devin were hot at certain times, and Swish (Gilyard) was hot the whole day. He (Swish) made crucial plays late and he was the X-factor."
NEXT TIME OUT
Manhattan (8-8, 3-4 MAAC) will stay at home to take on Fairfield (7-11, 3-4 MAAC) on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 PM. The Stags dropped a home match-up to Canisius on Saturday by a final score of 78-67.
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