By Steven M. Glassman
Director of Sports Information
February 15, 2017
JENKINTOWN, PA—Sophomore guard Robby Pierre (Irvington, NJ/Union Catholic) scored 20 points as 14th-ranked Manor College (19-5) defeated the NCAA Division III Eastern University Junior Varsity team, 82-76.
The Blue Jays led 10-3 with 14:38 left in the opening half after sophomore guard Calil Moultrie (Philadelphia, PA/Friere Charter) sank a three-point basket. The Eagles JV squad responded with a 15-3 run over the next 7:35. They took an 18-16 lead with 6:03 remaining on a Brett Wolf jump shot, with an assist by Clifton Adams. Their only lead of the game was short-lived as Pierre scored five of Manor's nine straight points. Manor took a 25-18 lead with 3:40 left in the first half. After Adams converted a pair of free throws that closed the gap to two (25-23), the Blue Jays answered by going on a 12-2 run over the final 3:02 of the half. The run was finished off on a freshman guard Dequincy Reed (Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge) layup and free throw with 0:01.4 remaining. Manor led at halftime, 37-25, and Pierre paced both teams with 14 points. The Blue Jays' 12-point lead was the largest of the first half.
In the second half, Manor scored 11 straight points between 17:38 and 15:36 and opened up its largest lead of the game (53-33). The Eastern JV team answered with a 15-3 run over the next 3:23. It was capped up by a pair of Adams' free throws with 12:13 left in the second half. The Eagles trailed 56-46 before the Blue Jays opened up a 15-point lead (61-46) with 11:21 remaining on a freshman guard Tashawn Tokley (Camden, NJ/Met East) jump shot. The Eastern JV squad got within eight (64-56) on an Adams' layup with 8:29 left. Manor increased its lead to 15 (76-61) with 4:58 remaining on a freshman forward Nizja Faison (Philadelphia, PA/Dobbins) layup on a Reed assist. The Eagles responded with a 13-2 run over the next 3:28. They got within four points (78-74) on a Khari Gaston free throw with 1:30 left in the game. Moultrie and Pierre finished off the Blue Jays' scoring on free throws. The Eastern JV team outscored Manor in the second half, 51-45. Gaston led both teams with 15 points. Adams added 11 and Wolf contributed 10 in the half. Altogether, Adams, Gaston, and Wolf combined for 36 of the Eastern JV's 50 second half points.
This the second time Pierre scored 20 points in a game this season. He scored a career-high 21 at Rowan College at Burlington County on November 8, 2016. Moultrie added 14 points (15th time this season with 10 or more points). Sargent contributed 11 points. He has scored in double-figures in all 24 games this season. Altogether, he has scored in double-figures 30 times in 32 career games.
Gaston led both teams with 21 points. Wolf scored 17 and Adams contributed 15. Brendan Kastens added 11 for the Eagles.
This is Manor's 11th straight overall and 10th consecutive home win. They have won 16 of its last 17 games overall. This is the first time the Blue Jays won 11 straight overall since joining the NJCAA for the 2008-2009 season. They were EPCC members when they last won 11 straight overall between December 5, 2007 and February 9, 2008 when they won 15 consecutive games. The Blue Jays are also 10-0 at home to start this season. Manor last won ten 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's swept the season series versus Eastern's Junior Varsity squad. The Blue Jays defeated the Eagles JV on the road in its previous matchup, 102-70, on November 16, 2016.
The Blue Jays improved to 18-12 overall (10-2 against NCAA Division III JV squads) versus NCAA junior varsity teams. They have won five consecutive games versus JV squads and 7-5 since joining the NJCAA for the 2008-2009 season.
Manor's next game at home is versus Region XIX Division II Rowan College at Burlington County (12-9 overall, 7-5 Region XIX) 7:00 p.m. February 16. The Blue Jays are 7-10 overall and 6-2 at home (including five straight) versus the Barons. Manor lost on the road at Burlington County in its previous matchup, 93-87, on November 8, 2016. The Blue Jays defeated the Barons at home, 79-71, on December 15, 2015.