Riverdale, NY (Sports Network) - Shane Richards provided a spark with 11
points off the bench as the Manhattan Jaspers hung on for a 34-31 victory over
the Fairfield Stags in a low-scoring Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference affair
at Draddy Gymnasium.
Richards went 4-of-8 from the floor for the Jaspers (12-16, 9-8 MAAC) to stand
alone as they only player for either side in double-figures. Rhamel Brown
contributed six points, seven rebounds and five blocks to help Manhattan
collect its sixth win in its past seven games.
Marcus Gilbert tallied nine points for Fairfield (17-13, 9-8), which also
received seven points and four assists from Colin Nickerson. Amadou Sidibe was
held scoreless but pulled down nine rebounds for the Stags as there were
handed their second consecutive loss.
Fairfield got off to an excellent start and managed to build a 12-2 lead just
five minutes after tip-off. The Jaspers answered with a 13-0 run that gave
them their first lead but the visitors jumped back on top in the closing
minute of the half to go into the intermission on top, 19-18. Manhattan went
into the break trailing by just a point despite going 7-of-28 from the field
in the opening 20 minutes.
The Stags converted just 20.8 percent of their field goal attempts including
only 1-of-7 from beyond the arc after halftime. The hosts were unable to pull
away as they were limited to 26.3 percent shooting from the floor. Donovan
Kates sank a pair of free throws with 15 seconds left to give Manhattan a
three-point cushion. Maurice Barrow got a wide open look for a game-tying 3-
pointer from the corner in the closing seconds but his shot hit nothing but
iron.
The Jaspers reserves outscored Fairfield's bench, 20-7, to help power the win.
Both teams set a new season-low for points scored in a game in the defensive
minded battle.
GAME NOTES:
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