Jan. 17, 2002

Box Score

ALBANY, N.Y. - Manhattan (13-2/5-1 MAAC) began the second half on an insurmountable 24-11 run, turning a one-point advantage into as much as a 15-point lead, and held on for a convincing 69-64 triumph over Siena (8-11/5-2 MAAC) in front of 6,802 fans at Pepsi Arena Thursday night.

The Jaspers out-rebounded the Saints 45-31 on the night (14-9) on the offensive glass) in bouncing back from their first defeat (Saturday at Marist) in 13 games.

The Saints jumped out to an early 8-2 lead feeding the low post. Big men James Clinton and Brent Sniezyk accounted for Siena's tally and forced Jaspers' coach Bobby Gonzales to burn an early time-out.

Manhattan adjusted by inserting Darnell Tyler into the rotation to man the pivot. Tyler responded with 14 first half points including the game-tying free throws with 3:15 left in the half. Von Damien Green gave Manhattan its first lead a minute later, connecting on a three-pointer that gave the Jaspers a 30-27 advantage. Manhattan carried a one-point lead to the locker room, 33-32.

Sophomore standout Luis Flores scored 10 of his game-high 18 points during the stretch, including consecutive three-pointers after being reinserted into the lineup with four fouls and 10 minutes remaining. Flores and Dave Holmes (18) led four Jaspers in double figures including: Tyler (14), Green (12)

Dwayne Archbold and Austin Andrews led eight Siena's scorers with 16 and 11 points respectively. Mark Price also added 11 and Clinton finished with eight in defeat. Siena scored five points in the final four seconds fouling a Manhattan technical foul to make the final margin closer than the game.

Siena returns to action Saturday afternoon at Canisius. Game-time is set for 3 p.m.