New York, NY (December 28, 2002) - Junior
Luis Flores (New York, NY) scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Manhattan Jaspers (7-3) to its second consecutive MSG Holiday Festival Championship at Madison Square Garden Saturday evening. Manhattan defeated the Iona Gaels (5-5) 68-63 for the second straight year to become the fifth team in the 50-year history of the Holiday Festival to earn back-to-back tournament titles. The last team to accomplish that feat was Hofstra back in 1998 and 1999.
In addition, Flores earned his second Most Valuable Player honor in as many years at the tournament, joining Hofstra's Norman Richardson and Providence's Jim Walker as the only players to win back-to-back MVP trophies.
The two teams traded baskets in the early going before Manhattan made its move. Senior
Jared Johnson (Bronx, NY) led the charge with seven points during a 17-3 spurt which opened up a 24-11 lead for the Jaspers with 10:12 remaining. Amazingly, Manhattan would fail to score a field goal for the remainder of the half, but solid free throw shooting by Flores carried the Jaspers into the break. Iona struggled from the floor as well which kept the score close, and only thanks to a last-second three-pointer by Steve Burtt were the Gaels able to take a narrow 35-34 lead into the lockerroom.
In the second half, neither team seemed able to find its offensive rhythm, and for most of the period, it remained a one-possession game. With the score knotted at 50-50 and just under four minutes to play, Johnson got fouled and went to the line for a 1-and1 opportunity. He made the first but missed the second and Iona's Charles Henson came down with the rebound. Johnson alertly stole the ball back from Henson and layed it in to give Manhattan a three-point cushion. After a layup at the other end by Henson, junior
Dave Holmes (Washington, DC) and Flores converted back-to-back layups for a five point lead (57-52) with 2:00 to go. The Jaspers would keep the Gaels at bay in the closing minutes, hitting 9-10 free throws to seal the title.
Flores led all scorers with 24 points and 10 rebounds for the second double-double of his career. He also was a perfect 16-16 from the line while playing all 40 minutes of the game. Despite being plagued by foul trouble, Johnson added 15 points on 6-9 shooting while junior
Jason Benton (New Haven, CT) tallied 11 points and, along with Flores, was named to the Holiday Festival All-Tournament Team.
Manhattan returns to action on Saturday January 4 when it travels to MAAC rival Marist for a 12 Noon tipoff. The game will be televised by ESPN2.
