RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? The Manhattan men's basketball team ran off with a 97-87 victory over Canisius (4-20, 2-12) this afternoon in Riverdale. Rashad Green, Andrew Gabriel and Darryl Crawford posted career-highs finishing with 21 points apiece. With the victory, Manhattan (9-15, 3-11) snaps an eight game losing streak.
The Jaspers cruised into intermission with a 16 point advantage. Crawford and Gabriel combined for 25 of Manhattan's 46 first half points coming off the bench. The duo went 10-12 from the field over the first stanza and Crawford was 3-3 from beyond the arc.
Manhattan jumped on the Golden Griffins early in the second half opening with a 20-9 run. Junior forward Devon Austin propelled the Jaspers offensive surge scoring 11 of his 16 points over this stretch helping the squad earn a 66-42 advantage with14:06 remaining, its largest lead of the game.
The Jaspers maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the second half.
Canisius eventually climbed back into the game cutting its deficit to 83-77 courtesy of sophomore guard Frank Turner's mid range jumper with 2:03 on the clock. Turner led the Golden Griffins with 17 points going 6-10 from the field.
On the ensuing possession, Green responded as he slashed through the lane and connected on a crafty layup which sparked a 9-0 Manhattan run. Green nearly missed a triple-double finishing with a game-high 11 rebounds and seven assists.
The Jaspers preserved its victory with clutch free-throws down the stretch marking its first win at Draddy Gymnasium in 2008.
Manhattan's 97 points marked the Jaspers highest scoring output of the season. Manhattan was a solid 32-62 (51.6%) from the field.
Manhattan tallied a season low five turnovers and a season best 20 assists.
Canisius's bench slightly outscored the Jaspers 54-42. Four of its five reserves scored in double-figures.
Manhattan returns to action on Friday evening for its matchup with Marist. Game time is slated for 8 p.m. at Draddy Gymnasium. The contest will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
