RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The last two times the Jaspers met Saint Peter's (7-8, 2-3 MAAC) at Draddy Gymnasium they needed buzzer beaters by Antoine Pearson to squeak past the Peacocks. On Friday in Riverdale the Manhattan men's basketball team did not need such heroics as the Jaspers rolled to a 76-53 triumph. Junior guard Rico Pickett led Jaspers charge for the third straight game finishing with 19 points. Manhattan senior Brandon Adams tied a career-high with 15 points and added eight rebounds. Darryl Crawford posted 15 more points and equaled a career-high with five assists.
"When our team plays unselfish, smart and takes good shots, good things happen," stated fourth year Manhattan head coach Barry Rohrssen. "It's good to see Brandon have a good game for us, because of the hard work that he has been putting in."
Manhattan (7-8, 2-3 MAAC) rushed out to a 40-26 advantage by intermission, possibly its best offensive half of the season. The Jaspers shot 57.1% (16-28) from the field and rallied for a 15-4 run to break a 5-5 tie as they created double-digit separation (20-9) with 11:40 left before the break. The surge featured two 3-pointers from Pickett to go along with his emphatic alley oop.
"I feel like I'm getting my groove going," Pickett said. "I hope to keep it up and do whatever I can do to help the team win."
Pickett scored 10 points in the first half, but it was Crawford who led the Jaspers with 13 points shooting 3-for-4 from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes. Adams was equally impressive inside scoring seven of his points and grabbing five boards in the period.
"We really needed this one," exclaimed Adams. "It just brings the spirit back into the locker room."
The Jaspers hot shooting carried over into the second half improving to a 63.6% (14-22) mark. Manhattan's defense was also clicking as it forced eight turnovers, while holding the Peacocks to 34.8% (8-23) from the field and 2-for-9 (22.2%) from 3-point land. The Jaspers led by as many as 29, marking their largest advantage of the season.
Manhattan's bench rouse to the occasion as the Jaspers snapped their three game skid. The reserves were led by Pearson who was the fourth Jasper to score in double-figures with 10 points. Freshman George Beamon had a break out night scoring eight points in eight minutes without missing a shot. He was 3-for-3 from the field and 2-for-2 at the free-throw line.
Manhattan's 76 points were the second most allowed by Saint Peter's this season. The Peacocks entered the game yielding a MAAC best 57.8 points per game. The Jaspers 60% (30-50) shooting effort was the program's best since Nov. 27, 2004 when it shot 62.7% (32-51) in a 76-60 victory at Fordham. Manhattan also finished the night shooting a season best 53.8% (7-13) from downtown.
They Jaspers return to the road on Sunday when they travel to Bridgeport, Conn. for a showdown with Fairfield. Tip off is slated for 4 p.m. at the Arena at Harbor Yard.