Luke Petrasek’s three pointer with eight seconds remaining in regulation powered the Columbia Lions past the Manhattan Jaspers by a score of 72-71 at Draddy Gymnasium in Riverdale, New York. With the win, the Lions improve to 6-5 this season. With the loss, the Jaspers fall to 1-6 on the season.
The game was very close all the way through, as the Jaspers held a 32-26 lead at halftime. In the final minute and a half the Jaspers were leading but committed rather unintelligent fouls to allow the Lions to get free points at the line, eventually putting them in a place where they got the score so close that the Petrasek three could win it.
There were 12 lead changes in this game between the Jaspers and the Lions. Luke Petrasek led the Lions with 26 points, four rebounds and only one turnover in 32 minutes. Alex Rosenberg added 19 points, five rebounds and fives assists. Despite shooting poorly from the field (3-of-12), the Columbia forward took advantage of the free throw line and shot 13-of-16 from the charity stripe.
Manhattan’s best player, Shane Richards, was shutdown for the most part by the Lions, as he seemed more prone to passing instead of looking for his shot. Richards finished with 12 points, three rebounds and one steal. Manhattan’s leading scorer was Zane Waterman who went 7-of-13 from the field for 22 total points. The Jaspers bench unit was powered by Rich Williams who had 17 points in 23 minutes.
The Manhattan Jaspers head coach Steve Masielo responded to the question about does this close loss light a fire in their belly. Masielo said that his team always has a fire in the belly no matter what, but this loss might have light some kerosene in their stomachs. Masielo also knew that Petrasek was going to have some easy lay ins as that was the style of defense they were playing. They were allowing the paint to be open but guarding the three more strictly.
The last minute was a back and forth affair with the Jaspers going up by four with 30 seconds left. Then Alex Rosenberg hit a three to make it a one point game with 18 seconds left. After Tyler Wilson was fouled and sent to the line, he hit only one of two from the stripe. Finally, with eight seconds, Rosenberg set up Petrasek who nailed the game-winning three. The Jaspers got the ball back and frantically pushed down court looking for the tying basket. However, as time expired Rich Williams couldn’t put in the layup.
The Columbia Lions look to improve to two games above .500 and stay on the right track when they welcome New Jersey Institute of Technology to Levien Gym on Saturday. The Manhattan Jaspers look to end their four-game losing streak on Saturday in Memphis, Tennessee when they play the Memphis Tigers.