Niagara University, NY (January 22, 2005)-
Jason Wingate hit a running layup with 2.7 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, but Alvin Cruz hit a running layup with 0.2 seconds left in overtime to give Niagara a 75-73 overtime win today at Gallagher Center on the Niagara campus. The Jaspers fall to 9-7, 4-4 in MAAC play.
Down 10 with 5:27 to play, Manhattan used a 14-2 run, capped by a
Jeff Xavier layup, to pull within a bucket, 66-64, with 29 ticks remaining. After turnovers by both teams, Niagara's Juan Mendez was fouled with 12 seconds left, but missed both free throws, setting up Wingate's driving layup to force overtime.
In the overtime, the teams traded three pointers and layups over the first three-plus minutes before
Arturo Dubois buried a short jumper to put the Jaspers up two, 73-71 with 1:12 remaining in the game. James Brooks converted a layup late in the shot clock tie the game at 73, and, following a Manhattan miss, Cruz was able to convert the game-winner with 0.2 seconds left.
The first half saw four lead changes as the teams played physical defense. Niagara led by as many as seven, 24-17, before the Jaspers closed the half with a 10-6 run to go into the break down only three, 30-27.
Mike Konovelchick led four Jaspers in double figures with 18 points.
CJ Anderson tallied 14 points and eight boards before fouling out late in the second half.
Peter Mulligan recorded his first double double of the season with 11 points and a team-high 10 caroms, while Dubois added 10 points. Wingate (six assists) and
Kenny Minor (five assists) combined for 11 helpers.
Mendez tallied game-highs with 19 points and 11 boards.
Manhattan returns to action on Thursday, January 27, when the Jaspers conclude their three-game road trip by traveling to Lawrenceville, NJ to battle the Rider Broncs at 7:30 p.m.
