Jersey City, NJ - Freshman Samir Stewart's (Fort Lauderdale, FL / American Heritage) three pointer with 2.7 seconds remaining lifted Manhattan to a rousing 58-56 win over Saint Peter's at the Yanitelli Center.
Classmate Warren Williams (Kingston, Jamaica / St. Benedict's Prep (NJ)) added a career and game-high 15 points with six rebounds, as the Jaspers improved to 4-13 and 2-3 in the MAAC while the Peacocks fall to 5-12 and 2-3 in the league.
Manhattan limited Saint Peter's to just 33.3 percent (14-of-42) shooting, including 14.3 percent (2-of-14) from long range, while registering 11 steals.
The Jaspers led by as many as 10 points with just over 16 minutes remaining when the Peacocks methodically began clawing their way back into the game.Stewart picks a GREAT time to hit his first triple of the game! pic.twitter.com/TXV4H2ASfa
— Manhattan Basketball (@JaspersMBB) January 18, 2019
With Manhattan holding five-point advantage with 5:52 to play, Saint Peter's used a 12-4 spurt in taking a 56-53 lead with 1:11 remaining. The Jaspers immediately answered with a Williams layup before forcing a turnover on the ensuing possession.
Following a timeout, Stewart canned the aforementioned three pointer and the visitors held firm on the final play of the game to collect their first road victory of the season.
Williams was dominant down the stretch, scoring on three of the four possessions before Stewart's game-winning triple.
Sophomore Nehemiah Mack (Harrisburg, PA / Massanutten Prep (VA)) added eight points, five steals and four assists, against one turnover, over 27 minutes while senior Thomas Capuano (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY / Iona Prep) and junior Tyler Reynolds (Syracuse, NY / Harcum College) each added nine points.
Manhattan didn't trail in the first half and led 30-24 at the break thanks to a tenacious opening 20 minutes. The Jaspers registered seven steals, limited Saint Peter's to just 26.1 percent (6-of-23) shooting and posted a dominating 18-4 advantage on points in the paint.
Notes
* Manhattan is now 41-13 when registering double-figures in steals (11) and 46-7 when limiting the opposition to less than 60 points under head coach Steve Masiello.
* Masiello also collected his 120th career victory as a head coach.
* The Jaspers are now 78-52, all-time, against the Peacocks with Masiello holding a 12-4 career record against the Jersey City-based institution.
* Williams recorded double-figures in points for the team-leading eighth time this year and the first during MAAC play.
* Mack has 19 assists against just three turnovers in five MAAC games while Stewart is making good on 75.0 percent (9-of-12) from deep.
* Manhattan improves to 3-0 when limiting the opposition to less than 35 percent shooting.
* The Jaspers held a 36-20 advantage in the paint while shooting 48.0 percent (24-of-50).
* Saint Peter's converted on 92.9 percent (26-of-28) from the line with Davauhnte Turner scoring nine of his team-leading 13 points from the charity stripe.
Up Next
* The Jaspers return to action at Rider on Saturday, January 19 at 7:00 pm.