By Steven M. Glassman
Director of Sports Information
January 28, 2017
JENKINTOWN, PA—Manor College (14-5 Overall, 6-4 NJCAA Region XIX Division II) sophomore forward Brendan Wagner (Allentown, PA/Allentown Central Catholic) scored a career-high 22 points as they defeated Lackawanna College (11-9, 7-5), 81-75, for its seventh straight home, sixth consecutive overall, and fourth straight Region XIX Division II win.
Manor never trailed during this game. The Blue Jays scored the first six points and nine of the first 11 after Wagner's layup and free throw with 17:22 left in the opening half. Lackawanna got within four points three times in the first half (6-2, 18-14, and 21-17). Lackawanna freshman forward Jonathan Williams' layup got the Falcons with five points with 7:38 remaining in the half (26-21). Manor scored nine straight points which was topped off by sophomore guard Kuante Sargent's (Baltimore, MD/Newtown) dunk with 3:50 left in the half. The run over a 2:41 stretch gave the Blue Jays its largest lead of the game at that time (14). The Falcons finished the remainder of the half on a 10-4 run. Manor led at halftime, 39-31. Sophomore guard Robby Pierre (Irvington, NJ/Union Catholic) came off the bench to lead both teams with 15 points
Lackawanna inched closer to Manor on consecutive baskets (45-41) by freshman forward Khristian Gill (17:01 and 16:39). The Blue Jays responded with a 15-5 run during a 3:43 stretch (15:57 to 12:14) and opened up its second 14-point lead of the game. The Falcons answered with a 20-9 run during and 7:46 stretch (11:37 to 3:51). They held the Blue Jays to two field goals during this period. Freshman guard Stevan Rodriguez' layup with 3:51 remaining got Lackawanna within three points (69-66). Manor responded scoring five straight and opened up an eight-point lead with 2:32 left that was finished off by a sophomore forward Jordan Lomax (Hartford, CT/Career Magnet) free throw. The Blue Jays and Falcons traded points on three straight possessions. Freshman guard Theron Reddy's layup with 33.2 seconds left closed the deficit to four points (76-72). Freshman guard Kobe Ancrum's (Bridgeport, CT/Bassick) and sophomore guard Calil Moultrie's (Philadelphia, PA/Friere Charter) made free throws that increased the lead to seven (79-72). Sophomore guard Gil Benz' (Reading, PA/Reading) three-point basket closed the gap again to four points (79-75) with 15.9 seconds remaining. Lomax' free throws with 10.5 seconds left closed out Manor's scoring. The Falcons outscored the Blue Jays in the second half, 44-42.
This is the second time that Wagner has scored 20 or more points in a game this season (20 versus Mercer County Community College on December 8, 2016) and the eighth in double digits this season. Sargent added 15 points and has scored in double-figures in all 19 games. Altogether, he has scored in double-figures 25 times in 27 career games. Pierre contributed 17 points off the bench and scored 10 or more points in a game eight times.
Williams came off the bench to lead Lackawanna with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Reddy contributed 14 points and three steals off the bench. Benz added 13 points and sophomore guard Cartier Talford paced the Falcons with five assists.
The Blue Jays are 7-0 at home to start this season. Manor last won seven straight to start the season at home during the 2007-2008 season when they were in the EPCC. The Blue Jays finished that season undefeated at home (11-0).
Manor improves its season series record to 5-14 overall and 4-5 at home versus Lackawanna. They have won five of the previous eight versus the Falcons. Manor have won four straight home games versus Lackawanna.
The Blue Jays finished January 4-0. They were 4-3 in January, 2016. Manor last finished January undefeated in 2008 (10-0).
The Blue Jays' next game is on the road at Region XIX Division I Harcum College (17-6) in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 7:00 p.m. February 2. Manor is 0-10 overall (0-5 on the road) versus Harcum. The Blue Jays lost at home versus a then nationally-ranked Bears (seventh) in its previous matchup, 99-92, on January 28, 2016.
Manor's next game at home is versus Region XIX Division II Raritan Valley Community College 2:00 p.m. February 4. The Blue Jays are 8-10 overall and 4-4 at home (including three straight) versus the Lions. Manor lost on the road to Raritan Valley in its previous matchup, 94-76, on November 15, 2016. The Blue Jays defeated the Lions home, 96-75, on January 14, 2016.