Photo of Jocy against Rider.
GOJASPERS / COURTESY
By Emmanouel Sofillas, Asst. Sports Editor
If you were not around for Jasper’s men’s basketball during winter break, you may have missed the Jaspers battling the Monmouth Hawks and the Rider Broncs.
Shaquil Bender led the Jaspers with 17 points, but Monmouth took control in the second half, securing a 45-43 lead and maintaining it to the end. However, Monmouth’s 9-0 run sealed the victory. Xander Rice led Monmouth with 24 points and their dominance on the boards (47 – 34) proved decisive.
In the following game, the Jaspers had a tough matchup against the Wagner Seahawks. Despite a close first half, a 12-0 Wagner run in the second half sealed a 68-54 victory. Wagner’s impressive shooting percentages, 64% from the floor and 83.3% from three-point range, made the difference. Tahron Allen led the Seahawks with 17 points. Manhattan shot 37.9% from the floor.
On Jan. 5, the Jaspers fell to the Niagara Purple Eagles with a score of 81-67. Shaquil Bender led the Jaspers with a season-high 30 points and five three-pointers, but Niagara’s early 21-8 lead set the tone.
Seydou Traore added 11 points and six rebounds. Niagara’s Harlan Obioha (21 points, 13 rebounds) and Braxton Bayless (20 points, 7 assists) played crucial roles.
Jasper head coach, John Gallagher, acknowledged defensive improvements needed and praised Bender’s performance. Manhattan shot 44.6% from the field, while Niagara shot 55.8%.
After a tough stretch of games, the Jaspers once again fell short to the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Seydou Traore led with 11 points and eight rebounds, supported by Logan Padgett’s 10 points and eight rebounds.
Despite the Jaspers’ defensive efforts forcing 25 turnovers, Quinnipiac controlled the first half with a 70.3% lead. Manhattan faced challenges, shooting 39.3% and committing 16 turnovers. In the second half, a spirited effort brought the Jaspers close, trailing by two points (34-32), but Quinnipiac’s consistency secured the win with 48 points in the paint.
Daniel Rouzan led the scoring for the Jaspers with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, closely followed by Shaquil Bender with 15 points and seven rebounds, and Jaden Winston contributing 12 points, six assists, and three steals in another unfortunate loss to the Rider Broncs.
Despite the strong performances, Rider’s Mervin James led the scoring with 27 points and six rebounds, securing a lead for the Broncs.
The first half saw both teams tied at 33 points, with the Jaspers shooting 50% from the field. However, Rider’s three-point shooting gave them an advantage. Despite a struggle for Manhattan in the second half, shooting 28.6% from the floor, Rider secured a 13-point victory with 41.9% shooting.
For the final game of the winter break, the Jaspers faced the Saint Peter’s Peacocks.
Daniel Rouzan delivered a career-high 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Shaquil Bender added 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
In a close first half, Manhattan closed the gap to six points at the break. However, Saint Peter’s extended their lead in the second half, ultimately securing an 81-68 victory. Manhattan shot 42.9% from the field with 28% from three-point range, while Saint Peter’s shot 46.6% and had 38 points in the paint.
The Manhattan College men’s basketball team is currently on an eight-game losing streak, but there’s optimism that they can turn things around in the upcoming games against Fairfield and Canisius.