Manhattan loses 12-point lead in loss to FDU

Shaquil Bender (1) led Manhattan with 21 points as Jaspers fell to FDU Friday. (Photo by Bob Dea/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

NEW YORK — Manhattan learned to play through adversity last week after point guard Brett Rumpel went down for the season with a torn ACL suffered against UConn.

The Jaspers were thrust into a similar predicament Friday when another of their important pieces was shelved, albeit temporarily, but absence still made the heart grow fonder.

Without the services of Daniel Rouzan after the sophomore forward underwent an emergency appendectomy Wednesday, Manhattan battled valiantly against FDU, building a double-digit lead against last March’s Cinderella. But a 12-0 run by the visitors swung the momentum for good, and the Jaspers were unable to capitalize in a 76-71 loss at Draddy Gymnasium.

“Not having Daniel Rouzan out there is a huge thing,” Gallagher conceded, even as Manhattan was led by 21 points from Shaquil Bender in the losing effort. “So for us, I think we have to look at it like, what did we do well and what did we not do well? But first, give credit to FDU.”

“The issue is the turnovers. Briggs (McClain), he’s just getting his feet back under him. He had three turnovers that, in my mind, he doesn’t make three weeks from today. Those were pick-6 turnovers.”

The Jaspers (4-5) only committed 14 miscues against FDU and its pressure defense, but the Knights made Manhattan pay dearly for the giveaways, converting them into 25 points on an evening where the hosts were also outdueled in the paint by a 42-28 margin. The loss of Rouzan allowed FDU’s interior duo of Ansley Almonor and Jo’el Emanuel to enter the lane largely unopposed, forcing Gallagher’s unit to live and die by the 3-point shot. Altogether, 39 of Manhattan’s 70 field goal attempts came from beyond the arc, something Gallagher acknowledged he would live with on this night, but also a facet of the game that would be different had his starting big man been available.

“I’m okay with 39 today because that’s the way the game played itself out,” he reiterated. “But to answer your question, if Danny Rouzan’s there, we’re shooting 28 threes, Danny’s shooting 11 layups and he’s making eight or nine of them. It’s a widely different ballgame. But that being said, we didn’t have him. The surgery happened, he’s out 7-10 days.”

In his stead, Bender stepped up admirably, as did freshman Seydou Traore, who came one point shy of a double-double. The pair combined for 30 points and 25 rebounds, something that was not lost on their coach, especially the effort of Bender, the junior college transfer who played the entirety of Friday’s contest.

“He’s really stepping up,” Gallagher said. “He played 40 minutes, had 21, no turnovers, was really solid. But looking back, we probably should have gotten him in more scoring areas. (FDU) went on their 12-0 run, and it was the only time in the game that we didn’t handle their pressure. Looking forward, I’m excited about this group. We have great clarity right now. We’ll get to work starting on Monday.”

Gallagher has been refreshingly optimistic despite inheriting a program with only two returning players, one that was picked last of 11 in the preseason MAAC coaches’ poll. The early injuries may have sacrificed short-term results, but the battle-tested coach’s outlook remains as strong as ever, even as he admitted Manhattan’s 12-day hiatus before traveling to Monmouth on December 21 — a game Rouzan will be back for — is most opportune.

“We all understand there’s a bright future here now,” he proclaimed. “I think we have to have the right approach every day. I want our approach to be championship-level. Forget the result. That’s the only challenge I think right now when you have this many injuries.”

“Danny and Brett are two huge voids. We can’t afford anymore. We’re razor-thin for it. We have 13 days off (and) it never could come at a better time. We’ve gotta make some adjustments and start our mini-camp on Tuesday. At the end of the day, we have a roster that really has a chance come February and March. That’s the most exciting thing. It’s my job to get them ready.”