Niagara University, NY (January 9, 2004)- Behind 15 second half points from senior Dave Holmes, Manhattan overcame a nine point halftime deficit to defeat Niagara, 90-81, in a MAAC contest at the Gallagher Center. The Jaspers became just the third team to sweep the MAAC Buffalo swing two years in a row since Canisius and Niagara joined the MAAC in the 1989-90 season. Luis Flores led all scorers with 28 points.
Trailing 47-38 at the break, the Jaspers opened the second half with a 10-4 run. Jason Benton (13 points, seven rebounds) kicked off the run with a follow up dunk, and Peter Mulligan (15 points) tallied eight straight Manhattan points to pull the Jaspers within three 51-48, with 16:28 to play.
A Holmes jumper with 9:26 remaining gave the Jaspers their first lead since the score was 14-13 with 13:42 left in the first half. After a three-point play by Mulligan made the score 66-61 with 8:40 to play, Manhattan was held without a bucket for 5:07, but outscored the Purple Eagles by two, 13-11, all on free throws. Holmes converted six straight during the span. Niagara (8-4, 2-1 MAAC) would not get closer than five the rest of the way.
In the first half, after two Flores free throws tied the score at 34-34 with 5:48 left before the break, the Purple Eagles closed the half with a 13-4 run to take a 47-38 lead into intermission.
Joining Flores, Holmes, Mulligan, and Benton in double figures was Kenny Minor, who matched his career-high (set against Canisius two days previously) with 10 points. The Jaspers converted on 29-37 free throws, including 20-25 in the decisive second half.
The win was head coach Bobby Gonzalez's 50th MAAC win.
Manhattan returns to the court on Wednesday, January 14, when the Jaspers take on Saint Peter's at Draddy Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m.