Buffalo, NY - Manhattan shot a MAAC-high 65.1 percent (28-of-43) from the floor, including a sweltering 70.0 percent (14-of-20) after halftime, in defeating league-leading Canisius 70-65.
With the victory, the Jaspers won for the fifth time in six games while sweeping the Western New York trip for the first time since their MAAC Championship season of 2013-14.
Over the final 14-plus minutes of the second half, Manhattan went 11-for-12 (.917) from the field while scoring on 13-straight possessions that didn't end in a turnover, before misfiring at the line with just over 17 seconds remaining.
The Jaspers are now 9-17, including a 7-7 record during MAAC play, while the Golden Griffins fall to 12-14 and 9-5 in the league.
Freshman Samir Stewart (Fort Lauderdale, FL / American Heritage) paced a season-high matching four double-figure scorers with 13 points. Classmate Warren Williams (Kingston, Jamaica / St. Benedict's Prep) chipped in with 12 points while freshman Tykei Greene (Queens, NY / Long Island Lutheran) added 11 and junior Tyler Reynolds (Syracuse, NY / Harcum College) 10 points.
Trailing by one early in the second half, senior Thomas Capuano (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY / Iona Prep) canned a transition triple to give Manhattan the lead for good while sparking a game-changing 9-2 spurt that would put the visitors up 50-44 with 10:43 remaining.
Canisius would momentarily quell the momentum with a three pointer, only to see Stewart respond with a three pointer to spark a 10-2 spurt that extended the lead out to a game-high 11 at 60-49 with 7:07 remaining.
The Golden Griffins would continue to fight and pulled to within 68-65 following a Malik Johnson three pointer with 1:59 to play before gaining possession with a chance to tie.
However, the Jasper defense hung tough on the ensuing possession and forced a Takal Molson air ball. Junior Nehemiah Mack (Harrisburg, PA / Massanutten Prep (VA)) then ran the shot clock down before hitting the game-clinching jumper in providing the aforementioned 70-65 final.
Jibreel Faulkner paced Canisius with 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench while Malik Johnson added nine assists, eight points and three steals.
Manhattan trailed 36-34 at the break, despite shooting 60.9 percent (14-of-23) from the floor in the opening stanza.
Notes
* With today's win and other action around the league, the top eight teams are now separated by just two games.
* The Jaspers' 65.1 percent shooting performance is the top mark in Steve Masiello's eight years.
* Manhattan has won four-of-five in February and is 48-34 (.585) in the months of February/March under Masiello.
* The Jaspers lead the all-time series by a 55-37 count while Masiello is 9-5 against the Golden Griffins.
* Greene led Manhattan on the glass with four rebounds.
* Senior Samson Usilo (Lagos, Nigeria / Nazareth (NY)) and freshman Christian Hinckson (Queens, NY / Tilton School (NH)) each scored six points while going a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor.
* The Jasper reserves outscored their counterparts by a 25-22 count and have now done so in 23-of-26 games on the year.
Up Next
* Manhattan will next play host to Iona on Friday, February 22 at 7:00 pm. Click HERE for tickets.