Jaspers sweep 800m and weight throw at MLK Tribute Meet

After a month-long hiatus, the Manhattan men’s track and field team will return to Riverdale from the MLK Tribute Meet Jan. 16 on Staten Island, having swept the top three spots in the men’s 800m.

In the 800m, Justin Jordaens, Andrew Simard, and Johnelle Joe led the Jaspers to complete the sweep, finishing in times of 1:56.53, 1:58.25, and 1:58.37, respectively.

Michael Hennelly kept his momentum going from his strong cross-country season and a second-place finish at the Crowell Open, winning the mile in 4:21.71. Jaxon Newton took second in the event, finishing in 4:28.24.

Brendan Chan brought home the 3000m victory in 9:24.24. Jack Flanagan took fourth in the same event in 9:43.71. The 4x400 team of Noah Jefferson, Brian Oduor, Brian Shermar Saul, and Harrison Alonzo got the job done by winning the event in 3:23.08.

In the field events, David Kema won the high jump with a mark of 1.90m. RJ Decker won the weight throw, topping out at 18.97m. The final results of the event looked the same as the 800m, with the second and third also belonging to the Green and White, with Myron Corpuz (14.63m) and Joseph Pelio (13.95m) taking the other two spots.

Noah Jefferson took second in the 300m with a time of 35.30, while Kaya Simpson finished in second in the 60m hurdles, clocking an 8.61.

The Jaspers race again this week, running in the Ramapo Opener at The Armory on Friday.

MC men hold off
Mount St. Mary’s

Manhattan men’s basketball trailed by eight with 8:44 left before outscoring Mount St. Mary’s 22-9 over the remainder of the game to pick up a 62-57 road win in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Friday night.

Manhattan (6-10, 4-3 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) held Mount St. Mary’s (6-11, 2-4) to one field goal, a 3-pointer, with five seconds left, over the final 7:41, and only four field goals over the last 10 minutes. 

“We stayed together,” said interim head coach RaShawn Stores tonight on what he saw from his team in the second half. “I am so proud of this group for believing in one another. That is all you can ask for.”

Josh Roberts gave the Jaspers the lead for good with 92 seconds left on an offensive rebound put-back after Ant Nelson missed a driving layup down the right side of the lane.

Marques Watson started a 10-3 run with an up-and-under layup to tie the game at 54 with 2:22 to play. Roberts’ put-back followed before Nelson scored the final six points for Manhattan.

Logan Padgett scored 12 of his 14 points after halftime. Padgett scored the first four of the second half for the Jaspers. Padgett then tied the game at 52 with a corner 3-pointer from in front of the Jasper bench.

Nelson finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals. The fifth-year guard has reached 20 points in five of his last seven games.

Roberts tallied his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds. The Alabama native added two steals and two blocks. Padgett’s 14 points were a new career-high for the forward.

“Ant and Josh are continuing to lead us,” Stores added. “They have played big games, know what it is about, and are an inspiration to their teammates. We kept believing in Logan and told him to keep his head up after a slow start.”

“We had to get gritty. That was my message to the guys,” said Nelson after the comeback win. “I was able to pick apart the defense tonight and find my teammates, but I have to do a better job of taking care of the ball.”

Mount St. Mary’s was led by George Tinsley with 18 points. The Mountaineers were held to 30-percent shooting in the second half. 

The Jaspers forced 17 turnovers and converted those into 21 points.

The Jaspers return to action on Friday, when Iona visits Draddy Gymnasium at 7 p.m.