Jan. 7, 2008
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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Behind a career-high 23 points from freshman guard Jay Gavin (Seat Pleasant, Md.), the Marist men's basketball team earned a 76-66 triumph over Manhattan on Monday at the McCann Center. The Red Foxes won their third straight, as they improved to 9-6 overall and 3-1 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play.
"We played very well in spots," Marist Head Coach Matt Brady said. "Every game in this league is a battle. We learn a lot from winning, and we'll learn a lot from tonight."
Gavin's previous career high was 21, set in Marist's previous game against Rider on Jan. 4. He scored 23 on Monday without hitting a two-pointer, as he hit six threes, going 6-for-8 from deep. He also shot 5-for-7 from the free-throw line and tied his career high with five rebounds in 29 minutes of action.
Senior center Spongy Benjamin (St. Francis Village Erin, Trinidad) added 15 points, a team-high seven rebounds and two blocked shots for Marist. Red-shirt sophomore point guard David Devezin (Houston, Texas) gave Marist three scorers in double digits with 11.
Marist shot .535 from the field, hit 10 three-pointers and outrebounded Manhattan by a 41-35 margin. The Red Foxes led by as much as 13 in the second half.
Laurence Jolicoeur led Manhattan (7-7 overall, 1-3 MAAC) with 17 points. Rashad Green scored 12 points, and Devon Austin grabbed a team-best six rebounds for the Jaspers.
A basket by Benjamin with 13:29 left in the first half put Marist up 11-10, and the Red Foxes led the rest of the way. Marist led by as much as 12 in the first half, but Manhattan outscored the Red Foxes 17-8 in the last six minutes leading into halftime. The Jaspers cut the Marist lead to one on two free throws by Brandon Adams just 47 seconds into the second half, but the Red Foxes answered with an 11-2 run. Marist never led by less than six the rest of the way.
The home team has now prevailed in the last eight meetings between Marist and Manhattan. The Red Foxes improved to 4-0 at home this season, and have won their last nine at the McCann Center dating back to last year.
The Red Foxes will return to action on Friday at the McCann Center against MAAC foe Saint Peter's, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by online at GoRedFoxes.com, and by calling the Marist ticket office (845) 575-3553. Marist will take part in the Take A Kid To Tthe Game initiative on Friday, as all children ages 14 and under will get into the game free with a paid adult admission. The first 300 kids that enter the McCann Center will receive a mini-leather "Rock" basketball courtesy of Anaconda Sports. Young Marist fans will be able to get their favorite player's signature on the autograph panels of the mini-leather basketball after the game.
