RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Fairfield used a game-high 15 points from junior guard Herbie Allen to lead the Stags to a 66-61 victory over the Manhattan (8-15, 2-11) men's basketball team this evening in Riverdale. The Jaspers surrendered a 12 point second half advantage and dropped its eighth straight contest. Devon Austin, a junior guard, led Manhattan with 12 points going 4-7 from the field.
The Jaspers held Fairfield (9-14, 7-6) to just one field goal over the final 7:55 of the first half entering intermission with a 28-27 advantage. Sophomores Jamel Ferguson and Darryl Crawford brought energy off the bench combining for 13 points during the first stanza.
Manhattan enjoyed a 19-5 run to open the second half jumping out to a 47-35 lead. Rashad Green and Chris Smith capped off the offensive surge with back-to-back treys.
The Stags responded quickly with a 12-0 run of its own over the next 2:18 to even the game at 47-47. At the 10:10 mark, Allen connected on his second 3-pointer over this stretch gaining momentum for Fairfield. Allen notched a double-double finishing with a game-high 10 rebounds.
Fairfield maintained a single digit lead over the final 10 minutes of the contest.
With just eight seconds remaining, the Jaspers had an opportunity to send the game into overtime. Following a Manhattan timeout, Smith's 3-point field goal attempt rimmed out to secure the Stags victory.
Fairfield outrebounded the Jaspers 37-20 and went 10-20 (.500) from beyond the arc. Allen contributed four 3-pointers.
Manhattan committed just eight turnovers to Fairfield's 17. The Jaspers bench outscored the Stags 26-16.
Manhattan returns to action on Sunday afternoon versus Canisius. Tip off is slated for 2 p.m. at Draddy Gymnasium.
