FINAL: Niagara 66, Manhattan 59. 12 points, 11 assists for Nelson in his Gallagher farewell. He blows kisses to crowd before leaving floor. Jordan finished with 18.
Manhattan (6-23, 3-14) vs. Niagara (8-22, 4-13) . . . Result will factor into seeding for MAAC Tournament. Both teams are destined for Friday's play-in round . . . Final home game for Niagara's standout point guard Anthony Nelson, the school's career assist leader and this year's national leader in steals. He's averaged 15.4 points this year and has been the glue for one of Niagara's youngest teams in recent memory. Unfortunate his final game comes with students on break. He's the only player in school history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 600 assists and 200 steals . . . Emotional Nelson just honored at halfcourt accompanied by his mother and two brothers.
SECOND HALF:
Niagara 37-35, 17:53: Jaspers score six of first eight, forcing Niagara timeout. Beamon has four of them and 14 for game.
Niagara 46-41, 10:01: Three by Jordan widens lead.
Niagara 49-41, 9:22: Manhattan timeout after Jordan buries another three in transition.
Niagara 55-49, 5:36: Jordan leads way with 15.
Niagara 58-51, 3:11: Nelson up to 10 assists. Jordan has nailed another three and has 18 points.
FIRST HALF
Manhattan 9-8, 14:05: Niagara scored first four points, Manhattan responded with next seven, four of them by scoring leader George Beamon, a sophomore guard Nelson just picked up first assist on a dish to Kashief Edwards.
Manhattan 12-9, 11:02: Enough said.
Manhattan 16-13, 7:46: Joe Mihalich in full voice from the Niagara bench as the Purple Eagles throw it purposelessly around the perimter: "SHOOT IT!"
Niagara 31-24: SHOOT IT! worked. Malcolm Lemmons has last four off an offensive rebound and a mid-range jumper.
HALFTIME: NIAGARA, 34-28: Marvin Jordan has nine, Nelson seven, to lead Purple Eagles. Manhattan's George Beamon tops all scorers with 10.
-- Bob DiCesare
tagged
College basketball | Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference | Niagara
