Manhattan University Athletics

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Lawrenceville, NJ - Manhattan dropped a hard-fought 77-73 decision to Rider in MAAC action at Alumni Gymnasium despite a frantic late push.

The Jaspers fall to 11-14 and 6-7 in the MAAC while the Broncs improve to 18-7 and 11-2 in the league.

Senior Zane Waterman (Winston-Salem, NC / Fayetteville Academy) scored all 16 of his points after halftime while pulling down a team-high seven rebounds to pace Manhattan.

Trailing 64-56 with just over six minutes remaining, the Jaspers made their move. Senior Calvin Crawford (Middletown, NY / St. Thomas More (CT)) was fouled on a three-point attempt and calmly hit all three at the line before sophomore Pauly Paulicap (Elmont, NY / Harcum College) followed with two more free throws. After forcing an errant shot, Crawford grabbed the rebound and on the ensuing possession freshman Nehemiah Mack (Harrisburg, PA / Massanutten Prep (VA)) found Crawford on the left side for the game-tying triple with 4:18 remaining.

After Rider briefly answered at the line, Waterman hit a pair at the line in giving the visitors a 66-65 advantage with 3:06 to play.

The Broncs responded with five-straight points in taking a 70-66 lead with 2:34 to play and appeared to be in control. However, the Jaspers had other ideas in countering with a 5-1 run in tying it up at 71-71 with less than a minute to play. Unfortunately, Stevie Jordan hit a layup on the next possession en route to fueling a game-ending 6-2 spurt.

Mack was outstanding in matching his career-high of five assists, against one turnover, over a personal-best 30 minutes of action while senior Rich Williams (Brooklyn, NY / / Vermont Academy (VT)) had 15 points. Senior Zavier Turner (Indianapolis, IN / Ball State) added 12 points and five assists as Crawford chipped in with 11 and three steals to round out the double-digit scorers for Manhattan.

The Jaspers raced out to a 37-30 halftime lead thanks to shooting 58.3 percent (14-of-24), including 50.0 percent (7-of-14) from deep in the opening stanza.

Rider was paced by Dimencio Vaughn's game-high 23 points while Jordan Allen added 20. Despite being pressured into 21 turnovers, the Broncs shot 48.1 percent (25-of-52) from the floor.

Manhattan will next be in action when it hosts Monmouth on Saturday, February 10 at 7:00 pm.