New Rochelle, NY - Manhattan cut a 20-point deficit to six but could get no closer in dropping an 88-75 decision to Iona at the Hynes Center.
#JasperNation take look at some of the highlights from tonight's @JaspersMBB game at Iona. pic.twitter.com/Pkf6J6H8Jn
— Manhattan Jaspers (@GoJaspers) February 24, 2018
The Jaspers fall to 13-16 and 8-9 in the MAAC and with a win over Quinnipiac on Sunday in the regular season finale will clinch the No. 5 seed and a first round bye for the upcoming MAAC Tournament.
Sophomore Pauly Paulicap (Elmont, NY / Harcum College) paced Manhattan with 16 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks en route to registering his fourth double-double. Junior Thomas Capuano (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY / Iona Prep) added 15 points and five rebounds.while senior Rich Williams (Brooklyn, NY / Vermont Academy (VT)) had 14 points and five caroms.
Senior Zavier Turner (Indianapolis, IN / Ball State) handed out a career-high 11 assists to facilitate an offense that shot 46.6 percent (27-of-58), including 42.1 percent (8-of-19) from deep.
With Iona holding a 13-point lead at the break, the Gaels opened the second half on a 8-1 run in opening up a 57-37 lead with just over 18 minutes to play in regulation.
Manhattan would hang around before using a 12-3 run to trim the deficit to 74-68 with 5:45 to play and after forcing a stop on the ensuing possession had a chance to further dent the lead. Unfortunately, the Jaspers misfired on the front end of a one-and-one and Schadrac Casmir responded with a personal 9-3 run in pushing the lead out to 83-71 with 3:11 remaining.
Casmir would finish with a game-high 30 points, 8-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-7 from deep, while Ricky McGill added 17 points, seven assists and five rebounds to highlight four double-figure scorers for Iona.
The Gaels shot 50.0 percent (29-of-58) from the field, including 54.5 percent (12-of-22) from deep.
Manhattan will lock horns with Quinnipiac on Sunday, February 25 at 6:00 pm with Senior Day festivities slated to start at 5:40 pm.