Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Erik Etherly scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds helping Loyola (15-6, 7-2) grind out a 51-41 victory over Manhattan at Draddy Gymnasium on Friday. Sophomore forward Emmy Andujar led a slow offensive night for the Jaspers posting 12 points to go along with a career-high 16 rebounds.
It was the fifth time in six home games the Jaspers' defense kept an opponent to 60 points or fewer, but an off shooting night is what hindered Manhattan (5-14, 3-6). The Jaspers went 31.1% (14-45) from the field with 26 of its 41 points coming from the bench. Manhattan missed the offensive firepower of injured All-MAAC guard George Beamon, the MAAC's 2011-12 scoring leader (19.0 ppg), who has been sidelined by the Manhattan medical staff for the rest of the season.
Junior point guard Michael Alvarado and sophomore forward Donovan Kates added seven points in reserve roles as Manhattan dropped its third straight contest. Jaspers' junior forward Rhamel Brown posted seven points as well on 3-for-6 shooting.
The Greyhounds were also without their leading scoring in junior guard Dylon Cormier (17.6 ppg) who missed the game with a sickness. Loyola received eight points and a team-high nine rebounds from graduate student Anthony Winbush. R.J. Williams and Robert Olson chipped in eight points apiece. The Greyhounds also endured a tough shooting performance going 38.6% (17-44) from the field.
Manhattan closed the first half strong rallying back from a 10-point deficit with less than five minutes remaining. Kates and Alvarado capped a 12-2 flurry with back-to-back threes that tied the game 23-23 with 29 seconds before the break. Williams knocked down a pair of free-throws seconds before intermission that gave Loyola a two point edge heading into the locker room.
Andujar buried a three-pointer for the first bucket of the second half giving Manhattan its first lead of the game, 26-25. Although, the Greyhounds countered with the next six points on Olson's three and layups by Winbush and Williams to regain a lead they would not give up.
Manhattan outrebounded the Greyhounds (36-34) who entered the contest leading the MAAC with a +3.0 advantage on the glass. Jaspers' graduate student Roberto Colonette tied a career-high with three blocks.
Manhattan looks to bounce back on Sunday when the Jaspers travel to Rider. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. at Alumni Gymnasium.
