Manhattan University Athletics

Riverdale, N.Y. (January 4, 2008)- The Manhattan College men's basketball team gets back to MAAC play this weekend, hosting the Niagara University Purple Eagles at Draddy Gym on Saturday, January 5.  The game against the defending MAAC Tournament Champions begins at 2:00 p.m.

Today's Matchup: The Jaspers return to MAAC play by hosting Niagara University at Draddy Gym on Saturday, January 5. Game-time is 2:00 p.m. Manhattan leads the all-time series, 42-21. The Purple Eagle have won four of the last five meetings following a stretch that saw Manhattan win seven straight, including the MAAC Championship game in 2004. Last season, Manhattan dropped a 81-70 decision on the road, and fell just short, 76-74, at home to the MAAC Tournament Champions. Devon Austin averaged 15.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game versus Niagara in 2006-07, including a 22 point (10-10 FT), seven rebound performance in the game at Draddy Gym.

What's Next?: Following today's game, the Jaspers continue MAAC play and kick off a four-game road trip on January 7 with a trip to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. to take on the Marist College Red Foxes at 7:30 p.m. Manhattan leads the all-time series, 16-11, with the Jaspers winning three of the last five meetings. The home team has won each of the last six meetings. Last season, the Red Foxes defeated Manhattan, 73-57, in Poughkeepsie, but the Jaspers posted a dramatic, 75-74, win at Draddy against the MAAC Regular Season Champions. Darryl Crawford hit a runner in the lane with seven seconds left for the win and Devon Austin blocked the potential game-winner with less than a second remaining.

All-time record: Manhattan is in its 102nd season of men's basketball. The Jaspers' overall record is 1210-1044 (.537), while the team has posted a 202-203 (.499) record over 26-plus seasons of MAAC play. The men's basketball program was established in 1904-05 and has taken two seasons off (1943-44 and 1944-45) due to World War II. In 55 of the program's 101-plus seasons, including the four of the last six seasons, the Jaspers have posted a .500 or better record. Manhattan's 200 MAAC wins makes them just the second MAAC team to reach 200 wins in conference, joining Iona College.

Jaspers Live on the Internet: For the 10th consecutive year, Manhattan College's men's basketball games will be broadcast live via the Internet. In partnership with Stretch Internet, followers of Manhattan basketball can now access the live play-by-play of all Jasper games. A link to the broadcast is available on Manhattan College's website (GoJaspers.com). Ed Cohen and Brian Mahoney will serve as the voices of Jasper basketball. Each broadcast will begin with the "Coach's Pre-Game Report" 15 minutes prior to tip-off.

Manhattan College Basketball Weekly: Last season, Manhattan College Basketball Weekly aired its inaugural season, with nine episodes stretching over the 2006-07 men's basketball season. Hosted by Ed Cohen, the show took an in-depth look at the past and present of Manhattan basketball, and also highlighted other great moments in Jasper athletic history. The show aired every Friday at 4:00 p.m. and replayed at 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays on SportNet New York (SNY). The show is slated for a second season this year.