Niagara University, NY – Despite a second-half comeback, Men's Basketball fell to Manhattan 76-69 on Friday night in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at Gallagher Center. 

The Purple Eagles dropped to 6-19 overall and 3-12 in MAAC play, while the Jaspers improved to 11-16 and 7-9 in conference.

Niagara jumped out to a 10-6 lead to start the game, led by four points from Reggie Prudhomme and Vice Zanki.

Manhattan responded with a 9-2 run of their own to gain a 15-12 advantage. Layups from Josiah Sabino and Prudhomme gave the Purple Eagles a short-lived 16-15 lead, but the Jaspers kept running with an 8-0 run in the next two minutes.

The teams traded baskets back and forth in the final eight minutes of the half with Prudhomme, Landon Williams, Trenton Walters and Will Shortt all finding the basket. The Purple Eagles trailed 35-27 heading into the halftime break.

Out of halftime Shortt got things going with back-to-back dunks, while Zanki added eight points to cut into the Jaspers lead. It was once again short-lived as Manhattan responded with a 7-0 run in the next minute to move their lead to 48-35.

Niagara responded with an 8-2 run with Sabino scoring five of his seven points in that stretch. Manhattan added two baskets, but the Purple Eagles kicked it into gear with a 10-0 run to cut it to a three point deficit. 

The Jaspers grew their lead back to seven with 6:11 remaining in the half. Niagara got it to a five point deficit with 48 seconds left with a Zanki three pointer. Manhattan closed out the game with two more baskets to secure a 76-69 victory.

Game Notes

Niagara is now 37-64 all-time against Manhattan

Zanki led the Purple and White in points for the fourth time this season with 13 points

Shortt went 6-for-7 from the field, shooting 85.7%

Gael Dalmau hit his first collegiate three-pointer

Up Next

Niagara stays at home to take on Iona, Sunday February 15 at 2 pm inside the Gallagher Center.