Recap: Niagara vs. Manhattan

Niagara, NY (Sports Network) - Antoine Mason made only one field goal yet he finished with a game-high 15 points, as the Niagara Purple Eagles grinded out a 64-60 win over the Manhattan Jaspers in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Association bout at the Gallagher Center.

Mason did his damage at the free-throw line, where he shot 13-of-16. Ameen Tanksley added 13 points, Tahjere McCall scored 12, and T.J. Cline added 11 points off the bench, as the Purple Eagles (11-8, 7-1 MAAC) notched their seventh straight conference victory to extend their best start in MAAC play since 1998-99.

Mohamed Koita led the way with a career-high 13 points and five rebounds for the Jaspers (5-13, 3-5), who have dropped four of their last five contests. Shane Richards and C.J. Jones scored 10 apiece in the loss.

Niagara shot just 33 percent from the floor in the first half, although the Purple Eagles went 21-of-27 at the foul line to grab a 37-32 halftime lead.

It was the same story in the second stanza, as Niagara made only five field goals (.357) but out-scored Manhattan at the charity stripe, 17-8.

While the Purple Eagles found a way to score points despite a tough shooting day, they also turned up the defensive pressure and forced Manhattan into 20 turnovers. Those 20 turnovers led to 26 points for the hosts.