Beamon scores 27 points, shoots Manhattan past Niagara, 90-72

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – George Beamon pumped in 27 points to lead hot-shooting Manhattan to a 90-72 win over Niagara Sunday.

The Jaspers went on a 7-0 run with under 5 minutes to play to push their lead to 25 points, 85-60. Niagara closed with a 12-5 spurt of its own to create the final margin.

Manhattan shot 58.6 percent from the field (34 of 58) for the game while its defense held the Purple Eagles under 40 percent (21 of 53).

Rich Williams and Shane Richards scored 14 and 11 points, respectively, off the Manhattan (19-6, 12-4 Metro Atlantic) bench while starters Ashton Pankey and Rhamel Brown added 12 and 10 points, respectively.

The win was the sixth straight for Manhattan, which remains in second place, two games behind conference-leading Iona.

Niagara (6-21, 3-13) was led by Marcus Ware's 19 points, with Antoine Mason adding 17 and Tahjere McCall 16.