ALBANY, N.Y. – Rakeem Brookins scored 18 points, including two big free throws with 7 seconds left, as Siena hung on to defeat Manhattan 66-63 Friday night.
Brookins made 11 free throws on 12 attempts, but none bigger than the pair he made after stealing the ball with the Saints (6-16, 4-7 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) clinging to a 63-61 lead.
Rob Poole's three-point play had given Siena that lead after Manhattan (6-15, 4-7) stormed back from a 54-41 deficit with 8 minutes left to go ahead 61-60 with 1:34 to play.
Rhamel Brown scored nine points and Michael Alvarado eight during the 20-6 run by the Jaspers.
Alvarado finished with 16 points and Brown 13 for Manhattan, which defeated Siena 75-55 on Dec. 9.
Trenity Burdine scored 14 points and Poole had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Saints, who have beaten the Jaspers in Albany nine straight times.
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