Despite career-high from Richards, Manhattan downed by Bucknell

A career-high 28 points from Shane Richards was ultimately not enough as Manhattan dropped home opener to Bucknell, losing to Bison 80-67 at Draddy Gymnasium. (Photo courtesy of USA Today)

RIVERDALE, NY -- While two players recovered enough to make their season debuts and shore up an undermanned Manhattan team, the additions were still unable to seal the deal.

Limited to eight scholarship players in their home opener Saturday evening, the Jaspers (0-2) led through the majority of the first half before falling to Bucknell (3-1) by the final of 80-67 at Draddy Gymnasium. With the win, the Bison improved to 3-1 on the young season.

"I think we made some foolish fouls," head coach Steve Masiello admitted on a night where the Jaspers were whistled for 29 infractions, contributing to a 42-20 disparity in free throw attempts that favored the visitors. "But you don't make excuses. Give them credit."

In defeat, Manhattan received another warrior-like showing from Shane Richards, whose 28 points were a career-high. The senior wing also augmented his offense with six rebounds and a career-best five steals while playing all 40 minutes, something that his coach praised after the game.

"Shane and George (Beamon) are the two guys I coached that never got tired," Masiello remarked. "George was a 33-34 (minute) guy, that's where Shane should be, and those six minutes make a huge difference. I didn't help Shane, but he helped me."

Richards got out of the gate to a torrid start, accounting for eight of the Jaspers' first 13 points through the opening five minutes, and tallied 13 markers by the intermission. Manhattan was able to feed off his fast pace early before a 12-2 Bucknell run turned the tide and gave the visitors the lead for good with 6:18 remaining in the initial stanza. Trailing 43-36 at halftime, the Jaspers trimmed their deficit to as little as six points when a Tyler Wilson layup brought them to within 65-59, but the Bison countered with ten unanswered points to ice the game and pick up a second consecutive road win.

Four Bucknell players ended the night in double figures, led by a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double from sophomore forward Zach Thomas. Senior guard Chris Hass finished one point off the high-water mark established by his teammate, amassing 14 points and six rebounds.

Manhattan continues its homestand on Wednesday, when the Jaspers welcome George Mason to Riverdale in a return meeting from last season, when Jalen Jenkins connected on a 75-foot, three-quarter court shot at the final buzzer to defeat the Jaspers by the final of 64-63. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.