Raleigh, NC (March 18, 2004) - In the first round of the 2004 NCAA Tournament the Manhattan Jaspers men's basketball team downed the the number five seed, University of Florida, with the score of 75-60. This marks the first time the Jaspers have advanced to the second round since 1995 when they defeated Oklahoma, 77-67. Senior Luis Flores led the way for Manhattan with a game-high 26 points. The Jaspers will take on Wake Forest in the second round.
Manhattan jumped out early with a Peter Mulligan three point play giving the Jaspers the 3-0 lead. The first half began in a see-saw affair, in the first 4:10 minutes of action the lead changed three times. After Anthony Roberson nailed a three pointer to bring the Gators within one at the 6:33 mark, the Jaspers went on a 12-4 run extending their lead to nine to make the score 34-25. Manhattan ended the half with two free throws by Mulligan, making the score 36-29.
The Jaspers jumped out on a 10-4 run to start the second half putting them up 46-35 with 16:02 remaining. With another three pointer by Roberson the Gators pulled within ten at the 12:01 remaining, marking the closest Florida would get. Manhattan with two free throws by Mike Konovelchick increased their lead to 19, marking their largest lead of the game, 63-44. Kenny Minor made a layup and Dave Holmes made one free throw with under a minute remaining, clinching the 75-60 victory for Manhattan.
Including Flores's 26 the Jaspers had four players in double figures; junior Peter Mulligan tallied 17 points, senior Dave Holmes recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Mike Konovelchick posted 11 points. Manhattan outrebounded the Gators by ten, 46-36.
With the win, the Jaspers advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament to face #4 Wake Forest on Saturday March 20, thirty minutes after the 1:15 second round game.