Riverdale, NY (February 1, 2004)- Manhattan shot just 25% in the first half and went into the break tied at 28 with a determined Canisius team, but the Jaspers outscored the Griffs by 16 in the second half in their way to a 72-56 MAAC win today at Draddy Gym. Manhattan improved to 15-4, 10-1 in MAAC play.
A Mike Konovelchick free throw with 9:41 to play tied the score at 48-48, and sparked a 24-8 Manhattan run to close out the game. The Jaspers made eight of ten from the line during the decisive run, and connected on seven of ten from the field. Once Manhattan pushed the lead to eight, 60-52, with 4:42 remaining, Canisius (7-14, 2-8 MAAC) never got closer than seven the rest of the way.
After the Jaspers grabbed a quick 7-3 lead to begin the game, the Golden Griffs responded with a 5-0 run to take a two point lead, 9-7, with 14:40 left before halftime. The rest of the first half was nip and tuck, as the game saw five ties and four lead changes. Two Konovelchick free throws with 1:58 knotted the score at 28 apiece and a Jason Wingate three from the corner as the first half ended was ruled to have been released after the horn.
The Jaspers made just six of 24 (25.0%) from the field, but converted all 13 of their first half free throws, while the Griffs shot 40.7% (11-27).
For the game, Manhattan connected on 26-29 from the line, and converted just three second half turnovers to sweep the season series from Canisius.
Luis Flores led all scorers with a game-high 29 points, while Dave Holmes added 14 points, including eight of eight from the line, and a game-high nine caroms. Konovelchick also tallied in double-figures with 12 points. Kenny Minor chipped in with seven points on a perfect shooting day, as he went 1-1 from the field and 4-4 from the line to go along with two assists and zero turnovers in 25 minutes of action.
Toby Foster and Kevin Downey each reached double-figures for the Griffs, scoring 11 and 10 point, respectively.
Manhattan returns to action when the Jaspers travel to Loyola to take on the Greyhounds in a MAAC game on Wednesday, February 4 at 7:30 p.m.