Bridgeport, CT (January 21, 2004)- Behind 24 points from Luis Flores, Manhattan extended its winning steak to seven games with a 63-60 win over Fairfield tonight at the Arena at Harbor Yard.
Fairfield raced out to a quick, 8-4 lead 5:22 into the game before the Jaspers answered with five straight points from Luis Flores to take their first lead of the game, 9-8, with 12:22 remaining before the half. Manhattan stretched that run to 17-8, gaining a 21-16 lead 7:11 before the break. The Jaspers stretched the lead to seven, 25-18 with 2:50 remaining and the teams exchanged two free throws each over the final two-plus minutes of the half as Manhattan went into the locker room with a 27-20 lead.
Both teams struggled from the field in the first half, with Manhattan shooting 31.8% (7-22), while the Stags converted 28.6% (6-21) of their shots from the field. Both teams shot well from the line, as Manhattan converted all 10 of its free throw attempts, while Fairfield made seven of 10.
The Stags opened the second half with 10-4 run to pull within one at 31-30 with 16:09 remaining before Peter Mulligan nailed a three from the top of the key to put Manhattan back up by four, 34-30, with 15:39 left. A Jason Benton jumper pushed the lead to seven, 42-35, with 11:33 remaining. The Stags pulled back to within one, 42-41, following back-to-back three's with 10:33 left. After Fairfield took the lead, 43-42 on two Terrence Todd free throws, Manhattan quickly took the lead back on a Mike Konovelchick three with 9:11 left. A Konovelchick three, a Jason Wingate jumper and a Flores layup made the score 54-48 with 3:13 left. Manhattan converted its free throws down the stretch and survived a last second three-point attempt to emerge with the win.
Mike Konovelchick and Peter Mulligan added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Manhattan's 7-0 MAAC start matched the 1991-92 team for the best in Jasper history.
The Jaspers get back in action when they host Loyola in a MAAC contest at Draddy Gym on Friday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m.