Game 23: Manhattan (15-7, 8-2) vs. Niagara (9-13, 4-6)
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 4 p.m.
Gallagher Center (2,400) - Niagara Univ., N.Y.
MAAC National Game of the Week on ESPN3.com
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Scouting Report
Manhattan (15-7, 8-2 MAAC)
Manhattan is arguably the hottest team in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference as the Jaspers' six game win streak is the longest active in the league. The Jaspers are tied for first place in the MAAC with Iona and Loyola who are also carrying a 8-2 league record.
The Jaspers have put up some of the top defensive numbers in the MAAC this season. Manhattan entered the week ranked 25th in the nation with a 39.0% field goal defense. Manhattan also leads the league in 3-point field goal percentage defense (32.1%), blocks (5.1 bpg), rebounding (37.2 rpg), rebounding margin (+4.3) and defensive rebound percentage (68.6%). In 10 MAAC games, the Jaspers have limited opponents to a league best 59.6 points per game.
During their recent six game win streak the Jaspers have limited its opponents to 58.3 points per game and a 35.6% field goal percentage. Jaspers junior guard George Beamon has led Manhattan averaging 21.7 points per game during this hot stretch.
Beamon has a team-best 18.0 scoring average this season, which is the second highest in the MAAC. Beamon also leads the league averaging 20.0 points in conference games. He has scored in double-figures in all 21 appearances this season and has posted four 20+ point performances in the Jaspers last five wins. Beamon is fourth in the MAAC with a 81.7% free-throw mark and with a 42.1% three-point field goal percentage. He is sixth in the MAAC with 1.5 steals per game.
Rhamel Brown has been the Jaspers top big man as of late. Brown leads the MAAC with 58 blocks (2.6 bpg) and he is third in the conference with a 59.0% field goal percentage. Over the Jaspers six game win streak Brown is averaging a team-high 6.3 rebounds and 8.8 points per game.
The Jaspers are also receiving solid contributions from freshman forward Emmy Andujar. The two-time MAAC Rookie of the Week honoree is second on the team averaging 8.6 points per game. In 21 starts, Andujar has averaged 5.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists, while also shooting 50.4% from the field.
Manhattan point guard Michael Alvarado ranks fourth in the MAAC with 74 assists going along with an 7.7 scoring average. Senior co-captain Kidani Brutus is tied with Beamon for a team-high 40 three-pointers.
The Jaspers are third in the conference with 160 three-point field goals and a 35.3% three-point field goal percentage.
Niagara (9-13, 4-6 MAAC)
Niagara has dropped its last two contests beginning with a 71-64 loss last Sunday against the Jaspers and then a 69-57 setback on Friday against Loyola . The Purple Eagles hold a 4-6 conference mark.
Niagara is led by freshman guard Juan'ya Green who ranks third in the MAAC averaging 17.2 points and 4.5 assists per contest. The 6'3" guard from Philadelphia is shooting 41.4% from the field and leads the team with a 81% free-throw percentage.
Red-shirt freshman Antoine Mason, a 6'3" 210-pound guard, has started all 22 games this season and is averaging 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and he has 48 assists. Sophomore guard Marvin Jordan is the third Purple Eagle that is averaging double-figures with 11.2 points per game. He is second in the MAAC with 54 3-point field goals.
Niagara is the third highest scoring team in the MAAC averaging 70.4 points per game. The Purple Eagles lead the league in turnover margin (+3.0).
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