Game 8: Manhattan (2-5, 0-1 MAAC) vs. Siena (2-8, 0-1 MAAC)
Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 2 p.m.
Draddy Gymnasium (2,520) - Riverdale, N.Y.
Live HD Broadcast Available on JasperVision.tv
Scouting Report
Manhattan (2-5, 0-1 MAAC)
The Jaspers begin a series of 10 games that will be played in the metropolitan area. After going on the road for six of their first seven contests, Manhattan enjoys a local stretch where they will not travel further than 20 miles with seven of the 10 contests played within the five boroughs.
In its only home game this season, Manhattan earned a 67-56 victory over Hofstra behind 29 points from senior guard George Beamon. Manhattan set season-highs against the Pride with a 45.5% field goal mark and 17 assists. Junior forward Rhamel Brown shot a perfect 7-for-7 from the field to finish with 15 points, while junior point guard Michael Alvarado added 12 points.
Manhattan is coming off a four-point loss (62-58) at Marist on Friday night in the MAAC opener without George Beamon who missed his third game this season with an injury. For the third time in seven games this year, the Jaspers got off to a slow offensive start shooting under 30% from the field in the first half. Alvarado scored a game-high 19 points, posting 14 in the second half as he helped mount a furious comeback that fell short. The Jaspers went 12 players deep as sophomores Donovan Kates and RaShawn Stores pitched in nine points apiece. Kates set a season-high with eight rebounds, anchoring Manhattan's 36-27 advantage on the glass.
The Jaspers have been much better in the second half this season shooting above 40% in all but one contest, including three games where they shot over 50%. Alvarado, a 6'2" Bronx native, has stepped up his game for the Jaspers in the clutch. He is averaging 8.1 of his 11.6 points per game in the last 20 minutes. Michael Alvarado has shot 48.3% from the field and is 26-33 (78.8%) in the second half of seven appearances.
Siena (2-8, 0-1 MAAC)
The Saints will play their next two games in the Bronx. After Sunday's match up with the Jaspers, Siena returns to the borough 13 days later to face Fordham. Siena is coming off a 62-56 loss to Rider on Friday at the Times Union Center in Albany. Senior forward OD Anosike posted a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) and sophomore guard Rakeem Brookins added 12 points off the Siena bench in his return from an injury.
Anosike is a 6'8", 241-pound forward from Staten Island who is averaging a double-double this season (12.7 points, 13.0 rebounds). He led the nation in rebound in 2011-12 with 12.5 boards per contest. Anosike currently leads the MAAC with a 56.2% field goal percentage, slightly ahead of Manhattan forward Rhamel Brown (55.1%).
Evan Hymes, a 2012 All-MAAC Rookie Team selection, is the second of four Saints who are averaging double-digits in scoring this year. Hymes has started all 10 games in the backcourt and is averaging 12.0 points. Sophomore forward Rob Poole has posted 11.8 points per game this season with a team-high 21 three-pointers.
The Saints rank 29th nationally in three-point field goal defense (26.2%).
