January 13, 2006 - Manhattan 87 Rider 81
January 13, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Men’s College Basketball
Manhattan College 87, Rider University 81
RIVERDALE, NY—The Broncs lost a tight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at Manhattan Friday. “I really feel this team is beginning to play well,” said Rider coach Tommy Dempsey. “Right now Manhattan is the best team in the league and we were able to hang with them for 40 minutes.”
The victory was the ninth in a row for Manhattan (9-4, 5-0 MAAC) and 14th straight at home. Rider (4-9, 0-5 MAAC) loses for the fifth straight game.
Manhattan led 64-60 before going on a 7-2 run to take a 71-62 lead with 3:28 left to play. Jasper 6’8” center Arturo Dubois scored 13 of his points in the final 5:15 of the game and finished with 23 points and nine rebounds.
Rider led 39-38 before Manhattan went on a 12-3 run, six points by CJ Anderson, to take a 50-42 lead with 12:45 left to play. Anderson finished with 23 points. “There was no answer for him,” said Dempsey. “The game plan was to keep the ball out of his hands, and I think we did that in the first half.” Anderson had just seven points in the first half. “In the second half Manhattan made a more conscious effort to get him the ball, and he put them on his back and carried them,” Dempsey said.
The score was tied at 31-31 at half time. The game featured eight ties and seven lead changes. “We showed tonight we can play with the best team in the league,” Dempsey said. “I don’t think Manhattan will be too excited to come to our place.”
Rider jumped out to a 13-7 lead, six points by sophomore Jason Thompson (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape). Thompson finished with 20 points, making all 10 of his foul shots, six rebounds and four assists. “We were on a bit of a mission to get some respect tonight, and I think we did that,” Dempsey said. “It is still an ‘L’ but the talent level is starting to show through.”
Manhattan sophomore guard Jeff Xavier scored the first 10 Jasper points of the game and finished with 25 points, eight assists and six steals.
Rider senior Edwin Muniz (Passaic) added 20 points, and freshman Harris Mansell (Cheltenham, PA) chipped in with 12 points off the bench.
Rider led 20-12 before Manhattan went on a 10-0 run, five points by senior guard Jason Wingate, to take a 22-20 lead with 8:00 left in the first half.
Rider junior Terrance Mouton (Lafayette, LA/Acadiana) fouled out with 13 points with 2:20 left. Senior Paul Johnson (Virginia Beach, VA/Salem) also had 13 points.
Rider hosts Marist Sunday at 2pm in Alumni Gymnasium. “We need one,” said Dempsey, “and once we get one and get some momentum going, watch out.”
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