Marist men’s basketball extended their winning streak to three after another balanced performance, winning 70-56.
Offensively, the Red Foxes featured double-digit scoring from four players, including freshman guard Josh Pascarelli, tallying a career-high 16 points. On the defensive end, Marist kept Manhattan in check, holding the Jaspers to 35 percent from the field.
“I’m just proud of my guys’ effort. That’s three games in a row we’ve had really good intensity and effort for the better part of the game,” said head coach John Dunne.
Marist entered today on a two-game win streak, including an upset victory in their first MAAC game, beating Iona in New Rochelle for the first time in ten years.
The Jaspers also started 1-0 in the MAAC after a thrilling overtime victory against Mount St. Mary’s on Friday night.
Manhattan asserted themselves early down low with a three-point play by freshman forward Seydou Traore and a dunk by sophomore forward Daniel Rouzan.
The Red Foxes responded with a breakaway slam by graduate student forward Javon Cooley after a Traore turnover. Traore lost the ball again and sophomore forward Jaden Daughtry finished the steal with a lay-in after a pretty spin move. Marist led 10-9 at the 13:54 mark of the first half.
“We knew that he was the leading scorer, so we wanted to have help whenever he touched the ball,” said Cooley on defending Traore.
A three-pointer from freshman guard Josh Pascarelli pushed Marist ahead 17-12. Junior guard Noah Harris followed with a three of his own, and the Jaspers found themselves in a four-minute scoring drought.
Pascarelli knocked down a mid-range jumper to push the Red Foxes’ lead into double digits. Manhattan junior guard Shaquil Bender ended the 10-3 Marist run, pacing the Jaspers offensively with nine early points. Rouzan scored to bring Manhattan within six with 7:33 remaining in the half.
Bender hit another jumper out of the timeout and entered double figures with 11 of Manhattan’s 20 points. Marist struggled from three, going 2-11 until sophomore guard Isaiah Brickner laced one to put Marist ahead 29-22 with 2:37 left in the half.
Marist entered halftime with a 33-27 lead. The Red Foxes shot slightly better than the Jaspers, making two more baskets on the same number of attempts. Manhattan started 1-9 from three while Marist also struggled, going 3-12.
Bender led all scorers going into the second half with 13 while Rouzan had eight of his own for the Jaspers. Marist had four players with five or more points, including Harris and Pascarelli providing five each off the bench.
“[Pascarelli] is gonna be a really good player in this league. I think he gave you a glimpse today of what he can become,” said Dunne.
Cooley opened the second half with a three-pointer off a pass from sophomore center Max Allen recording his third assist, as he was doubled on several of his touches.
After Manhattan’s second three of the game via senior guard Briggs McClain, Cooley hit right back with a corner pocket three.
Freshman guard Jadin Collins forced a Jaspers timeout with an emphatic breakaway flush after an errant pass from Bender. This gave Marist their largest lead, 43-30 with 15:43 left in the second half.
The Red Foxes began to separate from the Jaspers with an extended 15-3 run seven minutes into the second half.
A Brickner dunk after an offensive rebound grew the Marist lead to 50-30. Bender scored the Jaspers’ second bucket of the half at the 12:10 mark but Marist’s defense made life difficult for Manhattan, continuously forcing turnovers and contesting shots.
The Jaspers began working a full-court press to change the energy of the game, which they did. Traore scored off a steal and Marist called time to adjust. Manhattan scored five straight to cut the lead to 15.
“They’re not gonna quit, they’re very well coached and they made it interesting for a while with their pressure,” said Dunne.
Freshman guard Jaden Winston hit two consecutive threes to cut Manhattan’s deficit to 13 with 8:01 left. The press sped Marist up offensively and went without a field goal for over five minutes.
However, the Red Foxes converted free throws after going into the bonus. With 6:56 left, Marist led 62-49, and the Poughkeepsie faithful anxiously awaited the closing minutes.
“We were against it for a three hour game against Iona, and just brought it to this game,” said Brickner of handling the Jaspers press.
Pascarelli continued his sharp shooting, knocking down his third from behind the arc to stymie Manhattan’s aggressive defense. The freshman scored again to push his career high to 16 points and Marist’s lead grew to 19 with four minutes remaining.
“Just good shots through the offense. Not forcing anything and taking the shots that came,” said Pascarelli of his performance.
Jaspers head coach John Gallagher waived the white flag, bringing several guys off the bench who have seen limited minutes this year.
Manhattan’s leading scorer Traore was held to seven points on 2-8 shooting. Bender finished with 18 points and Rouzan added ten along with Winston.
With a 70-56 victory, the Red Foxes are now 2-0 in the MAAC for the first time since 2010.
Marist will head back on the road to face Dartmouth of the Ivy League on Saturday, December 9th. Tipoff at Leede Arena is set for 4 p.m.
Edited by: Aidan Lavin
Graphic: Ben Monrad
Photo: Jaylen Rizzo
