Recap: Manhattan vs. Fairfield

Riverdale, NY (Sports Network) - Shane Richards provided a spark with 11 points off the bench as the Manhattan Jaspers hung on for a 34-31 victory over the Fairfield Stags in a low-scoring Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference affair at Draddy Gymnasium.

Richards went 4-of-8 from the floor for the Jaspers (12-16, 9-8 MAAC) to stand alone as they only player for either side in double-figures. Rhamel Brown contributed six points, seven rebounds and five blocks to help Manhattan collect its sixth win in its past seven games.

Marcus Gilbert tallied nine points for Fairfield (17-13, 9-8), which also received seven points and four assists from Colin Nickerson. Amadou Sidibe was held scoreless but pulled down nine rebounds for the Stags as there were handed their second consecutive loss.

Fairfield got off to an excellent start and managed to build a 12-2 lead just five minutes after tip-off. The Jaspers answered with a 13-0 run that gave them their first lead but the visitors jumped back on top in the closing minute of the half to go into the intermission on top, 19-18. Manhattan went into the break trailing by just a point despite going 7-of-28 from the field in the opening 20 minutes.

The Stags converted just 20.8 percent of their field goal attempts including only 1-of-7 from beyond the arc after halftime. The hosts were unable to pull away as they were limited to 26.3 percent shooting from the floor. Donovan Kates sank a pair of free throws with 15 seconds left to give Manhattan a three-point cushion. Maurice Barrow got a wide open look for a game-tying 3- pointer from the corner in the closing seconds but his shot hit nothing but iron.

The Jaspers reserves outscored Fairfield's bench, 20-7, to help power the win. Both teams set a new season-low for points scored in a game in the defensive minded battle.