Riverdale, N.Y. - In the season opener for both teams, NJIT's Clayton Barker hit a reverse layup with 31 seconds remaining, and Manhattan could not come up with the game-winner, dropping a 56-55 decision this afternoon at Draddy Gym.
The game see-sawed for the majority of the first half, as the early going saw six lead changes and three ties. After NJIT took a two point lead, 19-17, with nine minutes to go before the break, Manhattan embarked on a 16-6 run to close out the half, taking a33-25 lead into the locker room.
Manhattan extended the run to 22-6 at the beginning of the second half, opening up the largest lead of the game, 14 points, after two Darryl Crawford free throws gave the Jaspers a 39-25 lead with 16:08 left in the game.
NJIT did not let the game get out of reach, putting together a 16-1 run over the next 4:56 to take a one point lead, 41-40. At that point the game became a back and forth affair, as neither team could take a lead larger than three the rest of the way.
With NJIT holding a two point lead, 52-50, with 5:30 left, both teams went cold from the field, as no points were scored over the next three minutes, until a Patrick Bouli three pointer from the right wing gave Manhattan a one point lead, 53-52, with 2:35 to play. The two teams each tallied a basket over the next two minutes, setting up Barker's driving layup to give the Highlanders the win.
Arturo Dubois led all scorers with 13 points, adding seven rebounds for Manhattan. Christian Jackson chipped in with 11 points in his collegiate debut, while Devon Austin tallied eight points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Barker (12 points) and Nesho Milosevic (12 points, game-high 11 rebounds) paced the NJIT offense.
Manhattan returns to the hardwood on Tuesday, November 14, hosting Wagner College at 7:00 p.m. at Draddy Gym.
