Game 19: Manhattan (11-7, 4-2) vs. Siena (8-8, 3-3)
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Draddy Gymnasium (2,345) - Riverdale, N.Y.
MAAC National Game of the Week on ESPN3.com
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Scouting Report
Manhattan (11-7, 4-2 MAAC)
Manhattan picked up its 11th victory and improved to 4-2 in the MAAC on Thursday with a thrilling 75-72 victory at preseason favorite Iona. The Jaspers have been one of the top defensive teams in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference this season as they rank among the league leaders in several statistical categories. Manhattan is second in points allowed per game (64.9 ppg), field goal percentage defense (40.3%) and blocked shots (4.7 bpg). The Jaspers also rank first in 3-point field goal defense (32.5%) and defensive rebound percentage (68.6%).
Junior guard George Beamon, a Preseason Second Team All-MAAC selection, has performed at a high level this season as he leads the Jaspers and ranks fourth in the conference in scoring (16.7 ppg). Beamon has scored in double-figures in all 16 appearances this season, while leading Manhattan in scoring 12 times. He is second in the MAAC for 3-point field goal percentage (45.6%) and free-throw shooting (83.5%).
The Jaspers have gone 8-3 in the last 11 games and during this stretch Manhattan has received solid production from freshman forward Emmy Andujar and sophomore forward Rhamel Brown. Andujar has posted 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Brown has 34 blocks in the last 11 contests, going along with a 9.5 scoring average, 6.5 rebounds and he is shooting 58.0% (40-69) from the field in 20.8 minutes per game coming off the bench. Brown leads the MAAC with 45 blocks (2.5 bpg) this season.
Sophomore point guard Michael Alvarado currently ranks sixth in the MAAC averaging a team-high 3.1 assists. Alvarado has started the last 14 games for the Jaspers and is third on the team in scoring with 7.8 points per game.
The Jaspers have several scoring weapons coming off the bench with senior captain Kidani Brutus, along with senior guard Liam McCabe-Moran and freshman guard Donovan Kates. Brutus is averaging 7.7 points per game this season and has knocked down 30 3-point field goals. McCabe-Moran ranks fifth in the MAAC shooting 40% (24-60) from beyond the arc. Kates is averaging 5.1 points this season with 14 3-pointers.
Siena (8-8, 3-3 MAAC)
Siena has been on a hot streak since Dec. 22 as the Saints have won five of their last six games, including three MAAC wins. The Saints knocked off Fairfield (73-60) and Niagara (72-60) last week, and are coming off an 83-79 victory over Rider on Thursday.
The Saints are led by junior OD Anosike who leads the nation in rebounding with 12.5 boards per game. Anosike, a 6'8" power forward from Staten Island, is averaging 14.7 points per game and holds the longest active double-double streak in the nation (12).
Siena freshman point guard Evan Hymes has averaged 15.3 points per game this season and was named MAAC Rookie of the Week three times. Hymes has a team-high 26 3-pointers and is averaging 3.4 assists per game. Saints' senior guard Kyle Downey is also averaging double-figures in scoring with 13.3 points per game. Downey is fifth in the MAAC for free-throw shooting with an 81.1% mark at the line.
The Saints rank towards the top of the MAAC in several defensive categories. Siena leads the conference in field goal defense (40.0%) and has limited opponents to 65.9 points per game (4th). Siena ranks second in the MAAC in rebounding (36.3 rpg) and are fourth in 3-point field goal defense (34.6%).
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