Riverdale, NY (January 15, 2005)- Despite 22 points from Peter Mulligan and a second straight double double from CJ Anderson, Manhattan could not hold off a late Iona charge, as the Jaspers fell to the Gaels, 69-67, this afternoon in a MAAC contest at Draddy Gym. Manhattan falls to 7-6 on the season, and 2-3 in MAAC play while Iona improves to 5-10, and earned its first conference win, raising the Gaels conference slate to 1-5.
Manhattan held a five point lead, 34-29, at the half and led by 13, 60-47, with 8:21 remaining in the game before Iona used a 18-4 run, capped by two Greg Jenkins free throws, to take a one point lead, 65-64, with 1:20 to play. Manhattan responded with a long three by Jeff Xavier to regain a two point lead, 67-65, with one minute left. A Jenkins layup knotted the score at 67 with 41 ticks left, but Manhattan, after calling timeout to set up a play, had trouble inbounding the ball and were assessed a technical foul calling timeout when the Jaspers had none remaining. Steve Burtt made both free throws to put Iona up two, 69-67, with 32 seconds remaining. After a Kenny Minor miss on a three point attempt, Ricky Soliver was fouled, but missed both free throws, and Manhattan had two chances to hit a game-winning three, but came up short both times, as Iona emerged with the win.
Manhattan opened the game by scoring the first six point, but Iona battled back to tie the score at 10 with 14:12 left in the opening stanza. The Gaels continued what would become a 8-0 run to take a 14-10 lead with 12:26 left in the first half, but the Jaspers answered with a 9-0 run of their own to take a five point lead, 19-14, with 9:40 left in the opening frame. Manhattan pushed the lead to nine, 34-25, 2:28 before the break before Iona scored the final four points of the half to go into the lockerroom down five, 34-29.
The Jaspers won the battle of the boards, 33-32, and shot 92.6% (25-27) from the field, but committed 18 turnovers, 12 in the second half, and had three players foul out.
Joining Mulligan in double figures were Anderson (13 points, game-high 11 rebounds) and Jason Wingate, who poured in a season-high 14 points.
Jenkins led all scorers with 30 points, adding seven rebounds. Ricky Soliver added 13 points and a team-high 9 boards, while Burtt chipped in with 10 points.
Manhattan concludes its three game home stand on Monday, January 17, when the Jaspers host Saint Peter's at Draddy Gym at 7:00 p.m.