Albany, NY (March 7, 2004) - The Jaspers in their first game of the 2004 MAAC Tournament downed St. Peter's in the semifinals, 83-72 in Albany, NY. The Jaspers shot 56.9 percent from the field on their way to their 23rd win of the season, and their second straight MAAC Championship game appearance. Senior Luis Flores led all scorers with a season high tying 32 points, and added six rebounds in the victory. The Jaspers will face the winner of the Siena versus Niagara game, tomorrow on ESPN2 at 9:00 pm.
Six lead changes occurred in the first 3:13 of the first half. After taking the lead with a Flores jumper at 16:47, the Jaspers went on a 19-6 run, making the score 28-14. In the last 3:00 minutes of the first half St. Peter's and Manhattan combined for seven three pointers. Flores tallied 14 of his 32 points in the half.
At the 14:53 mark a Keydren Clark three pointer pulled the Peacocks within nine making the score 45-54, marking the closest St. Peter's would get. Manhattan responded with a 17-5 run that extended the Jaspers' lead to 71-50. In the last minutes, St. Peter's recorded a 10-2 run to finish the game and cut the lead to eleven, making the final 83-72. The Jaspers outrebounded the Peacocks 40-20 for the game.
The Jaspers recorded four players in double figures, joining Flores, were Peter Mulligan with 16, Dave Holmes with 11 and Jason Wingate with 12, adding a career high seven assists in the contest.
Keydren Clark led the Way for the Peacocks (17-12) with 24 points and four rebounds. Rafael Martinez joined Clark in double figures with 10 points.
The Jaspers will face the winner of the #6 Siena versus #2 Niagara game in the MAAC Championship game held tomorrow at 9 pm on ESPN 2.