Disappointment has been a theme at Manhattan this season, but the Jaspers never looked more desperate than they did last night.
To coach Steve Masiello, it looked absolutely beautiful.
Still playing without leading-scorer George Beamon, who was joined in a matching right walking boot last night by starting guard Michael Alvarado, who missed his first game of the season with an ankle injury, Manhattan began to salvage its season by snapping a four-game losing streak and edging St. Peter’s 55-53 at the Yanitelli Center in Jersey City.
The Jaspers (4-9, 2-1) took an early share of first place in the MAAC after Desi Washington’s deep 3-pointer hit the front rim as time expired.
“I told these guys, this was probably our best win since we’ve been here,” said Masiello, who earned 20 wins in his debut season. “It’s the most adversity we’ve ever been up against. These guys responded big time. They bended and bended, but never broke. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys.
“All I care about is our conference play and the conference tournament. If it means us going 3-9 to learn our lesson of how to win in conference, I’ll do that. As long as you learn your lessons and don’t repeat them.”
Junior Rhamel Brown, who had a key block on Washington with 4.7 seconds left, said the injuries have only brought the team closer together.
“It’s all about how you handle adversity,” said Brown, who had 11 points. “This game really showed our toughness, how gritty we are. When you lose talented players like [Beamon and Alvarado] you have to do the little things and execute better.”
After a quick start, the teams reverted to a peach-basket pace and ended the first half tied at 27, with neither leading by more than five points.
The stalemate turned in favor of the Peacocks (6-7, 1-2) in the second half. They took a 41-36 lead with 10:06 remaining, behind the penetration of their trio of guards, Yvon Raymond, Blaise Ffrench and Washington, who finished with a team-high 15 points.
Manhattan attempted 27 3-pointers and found success in freshman sharpshooter Shane Richards, who scored a game-high 16 points helped by four 3’s. His corner shot with 9:25 left gave Manhattan a 42-41 lead it would soon extend to six and hold on to. St. Peter’s missed 11-of-20 free throws.
“I’m more confident in Shane than anybody,” said Brown. “He came in at halftime and looked a little down and I said, ‘I don’t care what you do, just keep shooting. Even if it misses, we’ve got your back.’
“We believe in him. He’s a freshman but, he handles himself so well under pressure.”