Griffs Can't Survive Poor Shooting in Loss to Jaspers

Canisius found themselves with a rare halftime lead Friday night against the visiting Manhattan Jaspers but were unable to close the deal as a dismal second half shooting performance dropped the Griffs to 4-16 (1-9) on the year.

Canisius, who usually shoots under 40% per game was at 41% from the floor which included 46% from beyond the arch in the first half. They took a 35-33 lead into the break as they lead by as many 9 in the half.

They maintained that lead early in the second half but a 10-0 Manhattan run opened the flood gates as the Japsers gained and never relinquished the lead. Their 10-0 run bumped them into the lead by 8, 47-39 and they lead by as many as 16.

Canisius finished the game shooting just 35.5% in the second half and 12.5% from downtown. Gaby Belardo lead the way for Canisius with 18 but was just 6-15 from the floor. Harold Washington and Alshwan Hymes both had 16 but combined to go 11-31 (35.5%) from the floor. Washington also turned the ball over 7 times.

Manhattan was lead by standout guard George Beamon who was 14-24 shooting on the night for 33 points. He also added 8 rebounds and 2 assists. After the game, his coach called him the best player in the MAAC. "He takes coaching so well. I was on him. He came out and he responded (in the second half)." Steve Masiallo said. "This league is very good, there is a lot of great players. There are players that are terrific in this league. What he means to us is more than any other player means to their team... There is no one even close."

Beamon, although scoring 33 points wants to continue to get better heading down the final stretch of the season and into the conference tournament. "I'm just trying to play. My teammates found me out there. It's a collective effort."

Manhattan doubled up the Griffs in the paint as they scored 36 points compared to Canisius' 18. "Our mentality every game is to go inside and take you off the bounce and throw it into our big's" said Masiallo.

The Griffs were only able to generate 4 points from the forwards in the contest, all coming from Chris Manhertz who added just 4 rebounds, down from his average of 7.4.

"We went small tonight. We really wanted to keep Manhattan off balance tonight" said Canisius coach Tom Parrotta. "We had some careless turnovers. We have to continue to grind it out and knock down shots when they present themselves."

Game notes: Guard Reggie Groves will be away from the team "for a while" as he will spend time on "academics" says coach Parrotta. Groves is eligible butParrotta feels that Groves needs to "nip a small problem before it turns into a big one."... Canisius started four guards today as Franklin Milian got his first career start. He had 3 points and 9 rebounds in 30 minutes... David Santiago had 9 points off the bench on 4-4 shooting in 18 minutes... Canisius has now lost 4 straight and will host Loyola (MD) Sunday at 2:15... Manhattan has now won 6 straight and will travel to Niagara on Sunday at 4:00.