Box Score
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Manhattan men's basketball team was outmatched by an experienced #5 Syracuse team on Monday night in the opening round of the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip Off at the Carrier Dome. The Jaspers dropped a 92-56 decision in the 28th meeting all-time between the two programs. The Orange had five players post double-figures, including a game-high 17 points from sophomore guard Dion Waiters. Jaspers' guard Kidani Brutus paced Manhattan (1-1) with 15 points on five 3-pointers and George Beamon added 14 points in a hard fought effort.
The Jaspers jumped out to a five point lead and forced a pair of Syracuse turnovers in the first two minutes of action as the Orange had to adjust to their full court press. Syracuse (2-0) went on a 20-3 run over the next seven minutes as they pulled away with hot shooting. The Orange converted 57.9% (22-38) of their shots from the field and 53.8% (7-13) from 3-point territory in the first half.
Despite facing a 26-point deficit at the break, Manhattan batted the Orange until the final horn and played a stacked Syracuse line up within 10 points in the last 20 minutes. Manhattan's active defense limited the Orange to only 20% (2-10) shooting from downtown and 36.4% (12-33) from the field.
Manhattan sophomore forward Rhamel Brown posted six points, three rebounds and one block over 28 minutes of action. Brown and the other Jasper big men had their hands full with the Orange front court. Senior forward Kris Joseph, a 2010-2011 All-Big East honoree, finished with 15 points to become the 55th player in Syracuse history to reach the 1,000 point plateau. Seven-foot center Fab Melo just missed a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Michael Alvarado led the Manhattan bench with six points to go along with three rebounds, while freshman Ryan McCoy added five points and two rebounds in his second collegiate game. Waiters' 17 bench points were complemented by Orange junior James Sourtherland's 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
Manhattan looks to bounce back on Tuesday when the Jaspers square off with Brown at 4 p.m. at the Carrier Dome in the tournament's consolation round.
