Riverdale, NY (January 13, 2005)- Senior
Peter Mulligan scored a game-high 32 points to lead Manhattan to a 78-72 win over Niagara tonight at Draddy Gym. The Jaspers held the Purple Eagles to 36.4% from the floor to improve to 7-5 overall and 2-2 in the MAAC. Freshman
CJ Anderson added his second double-double of the season, tallying 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds as Manhattan defeated Niagara for the seventh straight time.
Junior
Jason Wingate opened the game by hitting a three pointer, and the Jaspers held a seven point advantage, 15-8, with 14:30 left in the first half before Niagara (9-5, 4-2 MAAC) responded with a 13-0 run, capped by a David Brooks three pointer to take a six point lead, 21-15, the Purple Eagles largest of the game, with 11:44 left before the break. The Jaspers responded to the challenge, scoring 12 of the game's next 14 points to regain a four point advantage, 27-23, after two Mulligan free throws with 5:49 left in the opening stanza. Manhattan was able to push its lead to five on an Anderson putback as the first half expired to send the Jaspers into the locker room up by a count of 37-32.
Niagara's Juan Mendez scored on a dunk with 23 seconds left in the half to move into first place all-time among Canadian NCAA Division I players, passing former Canisius star Michael Meeks.
The Jaspers never lost their lead in the second half, as although Niagara cut the deficit to a single point on three occasions, Manhattan always had an answer, pushing the lead to nine on several occasions and never allowing the lead to dip below three points over the final 11:36 of the game.
Mulligan added eight rebounds to his 32 points, while Anderson added four assists, four blocks and two steals to his double-double. Wingate joined the duo in double figures, adding 11 points, including a perfect six-of-six from the line down the stretch. The Jaspers won the battle of the boards, 42-41 and committed just eight turnovers.
Mendez led Niagara with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while David Brooks and Alvin Cruz each added 15 points.
Manhattan continues a three game home stand on Saturday, January 15, when the Jaspers host local and MAAC rival Iona at 2:00 p.m. at Draddy Gym.
