Game 5: Manhattan (1-3) vs. Fordham (1-4)
Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Rose Hill Gym (3,200) - Bronx, N.Y.
Televised Live on YES Network
Scouting Report
Manhattan (1-3)
Manhattan is coming off a promising week, which featured the team's first victory of the season and Preseason All-MAAC First Team guard George Beamon's return to the hardwood. Despite missing the first two games of the season, Beamon did not skip a beat as he exploded for 29 points and seven rebounds to help lead Manhattan to a 67-56 win over Hofstra on Wednesday in the team's home opener at Draddy Gymnasium.
Beamon, a 6'4" guard from Roslyn, N.Y., is coming off a 19 point performance at Dayton on Saturday. The two-time All-MAAC selection is leading the Jaspers averaging 24.0 points, a 64% field goal percentage and 2.5 steals per game. Beamon was named the MAAC Player of the Week on Monday as he delivered his 19th career 20+ point performance against Hofstra, and then had his 50th straight game scoring in double-digits with a team-high 19 points at Dayton on Saturday.
Junior forward Rhamel Brown has been a consistent post player for the Jaspers this season. The 6'7" Brooklyn native is averaging 10.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Brown is shooting 60% (18-30) from the field in four starts up front.
The Jaspers' backcourt has featured junior point guard Michael Alvarado and sophomore guard RaShawn Stores. The former teammates from All Hallows High School in the Bronx have started every game this season. Alvarado has a 9.8 scoring average and Stores has put up 6.3 points per game. They are each averaging 2.3 assists.
Sophomore forward Emmy Andujar has scored in double-figures in the Jaspers' last two road games. The 2012 MAAC All-Rookie Team selection is averaging 7.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and a team-high 2.5 assists per game in four appearances this season. Andujar, Alvarado and Stores have combined for 67% of Manhattan's assists this year.
The Jaspers have been on the road for three of their first four games this season. Manhattan's road opponents were all 2012 postseason participants and 20-game winners last year.
Manhattan is still in search of its first victory of the year outside of Draddy Gymnasium. The Jaspers won 10 road games in 2011-12, which tied for the 14th most wins nationally. The Jaspers have struggled shooting in road games posting a 38.4% field goal mark. Three-point shooting has been a different story as the Jaspers have knocked down 40% of three-point attempts in opposing arenas.
Fordham (1-4)
The Rams are coming off a 74-71 loss to Fairfield on Tuesday in the consolation bracket of the NIT Season Tip-Off. The loss came one day after Fordham picked up its first win with a 70-68 triumph over Penn.
Fordham is led by junior guard Brandon Frazier who has averaged 16.8 points and 5.0 assists in five starts this season. Frazier scored 19 points in the victory over Penn, and he is coming off a 22-point and 7-assist effort against Fairfield. Frazier is the Rams' top free-throw shooter with an 85.2% (23-27) average this season.
Freshman Travion Leonard has been the consistent big man in Fordham's starting line up, in the absence of injured senior forward Chris Gaston. Leonard is a 6'8", 275-pound forward from Raleigh, N.C. In five starts, Leonard is averaging 6.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and shoots a team best 54.2% from the field.
As a team, Fordham has a 42.3% field goal mark and is averaging 65.2 points per game. The Rams have yielded 77.6 points on average to their opponents in 2012-13.
