Junior Juan Mendez posted his fourth double-double of the year with 25 points and 14 rebounds vs. Manhattan. |
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Manhattan College (9-3, 4-0) remained undefeated in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play when it defeated Niagara University (8-4, 2-1), 90-81, Friday evening in front of a sell out crowd at the Gallagher Center on the Niagara University campus.
The Jaspers had five players score in double digits. Luis Flores tallied a game-high 28 points. Dave Holmes and Peter Mulligan each netted 15, Jason Benton 13 and Kenny Minor 10.
Niagara was paced by junior Juan Mendez (Montreal, Quebec), who posted his fourth double-double of the season and eighth 20-plus point game on the year, with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Also in double figures for the Purple Eagles were senior Tremmell Darden (Las Vegas, Nev.) with 16 points, freshman J.R. Duffey (Ft. Worth, Texas) with a career-high 11 points and freshman Lorenzo Miles (Washington, D.C.) with 10 points.
After trailing at halftime, 47-38, Manhattan used a 16-6 run over a 4:33 span to take the lead for good. Flores scored six of his 12 second-half points during the run.
Niagara narrowed the deficit to two points, 70-68 with 6:52 remaining with four points by Mendez, but Manhattan sank seven-straight free throws to build a nine-point lead, 77-68.
The Purple Eagles got as close as five points, 79-74, with 2:22 left with a 6-2 run of their own. Mendez tallied four points and Darden added two from the free-throw line. But Manhattan made 7 of 10 free throws over the final 52 seconds to seal the win.
Manhattan shot 51.8 percent from the field, including 57.7 percent in the second half. The Jaspers also were 29 of 37 from the foul line, 20 of 25 in the second period, and forced 15 Niagara turnovers.
The Purple Eagles shot 44.8 percent from the field, 40 percent from beyond three-point range and 74.2 percent from the charity stripe. Niagara won the battle on the boards, 33-32.
Niagara returns to action Sunday when it hosts Iona at 1 p.m. in the Gallagher Center.
