Manhattan University Athletics

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Riverdale, NY - Canisius hit four-straight free throws over the final 11.4 seconds en route to posting a 65-62 victory over Manhattan at Draddy Gymnasium.


The Golden Griffins improve to 8-10 on the year, including 3-4 in the MAAC, while the Jaspers fall to 6-10 and 3-4 in the league.

Trailing 57-51 at the final media timeout (3:58), junior Rich Williams (Brooklyn, NY / Vermont Academy (VT)) started a 6-0 run with a steal and a dunk. Sophomore Zane Waterman (Winston-Salem, NC / Fayetteville Academy) then hit the front end of a one-and-one before junior Tyler Wilson (Bronx, NY / Cardinal Hayes) grabbed the ensuing offensive rebound and kicked it out to senior Shane Richards (New York, NY / York Prep) for a game-tying triple with 3:12 to play.

The teams then traded scores over the next four possessions and with Canisius up 63-62, Phil Valenti blocked Wilson's last-second attempt before Malcolm McMillan grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 0.3 seconds to play. McMillan then hit a pair from the line to provide the aforementioned 65-62 final score.

Richards paced Manhattann scoring for the 10th time this season with 14 points while adding four assists and four rebounds. Waterman also hit for double-figures with 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

In the opening half, the Jaspers quickly jumped out in front 13-3 thanks to making good on 5-of-7 from the floor, However Canisius would chip away before taking a 20-19 lead with 7:47 to play until halftime on a Valenti jumper. After Wilson answered with a running layup, the Golden Griffins ended the half on a 13-2 run in grabbing a 33-23 advantage at intermission.

Canisius sustained their lead for most of the second half thanks to Valenti, who scored 17 of his game-high 28 points after halftime. McMillan added 17 points and six rebounds while Jermaine Crumpton chipped in with 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Despite the defeat, Manhattan was able to limit the Golden Griffins' high-powered three-point attack to just 21.4 percent (3-of-14) from long range.

The Jaspers return to action on Sunday, January 17 against Niagara with opening tip slated for 2:00 pm.