By Steven M. Glassman
Director of Sports Information
February 4, 2020
JENKINTOWN, PA—Manor College Blue Jays (10-12 overall, 7-5 Region XIX Division II) sophomore forward/center Robert Tucker (Philadelphia, PA/Paul Robeson) scored 24 points and led both teams with 11 rebounds and three blocked shots as the Blue Jays defeated the Mercer County Community College Vikings (6-15, 2-11), 85-79.
The Blue Jays led at halftime, 44-34. Tucker led both teams with 13 points. Freshman guard Tyrae Green paced the Vikings with 10 points. Mercer County outscored Manor, 45-41, in the second half. Green led both teams with 14 points. Freshman guard/forward Alex Lin contributed 11 points. Tucker led the Blue Jays with 11 second-half points.
The Blue Jays' win clinched its first postseason berth 2018. This is the sixth time Manor has qualified for the NJCAA Region XIX Division II Postseason Tournament since joining the NJCAA for the 2008-2009 season. This is the fifth time in the last six seasons the Blue Jays have qualified for the postseason.
The victory broke Manor's four-game overall losing streak. The Blue Jays also broke its three-game home losing streak with the win. Mercer County has lost 10 straight Region XIX Division II games.
Individual Statistical Leaders: Sophomore guard Jewel Funchess (Philadelphia, PA/Olney) scored 14 points and contributed four assists. Sophomores Yochua Diaz (Philadelphia, PA/Dobbins) (guard/forward) and DaShawn Hockaday (Philadelphia, PA/Dobbins) (guard) (coming off the bench) scored 14 points each. Sophomore guard Anthony Rodriguez (Philadelphia, PA/Frankford) came off the bench and led the Blue Jays with five steals.
Green led Mercer County with 24 points, five assists, and five steals. Lin added 20 points (including four three-point baskets). Freshman guard Tavian Alford scored 10 points off the bench for the Vikings. Alford also paced the Vikings with eight rebounds.
Manor 2019-2020 Single-Game Scoring Leaders (including ties): Tucker (11); freshman forward/center Kureese Rodgers (3); Diaz and Rodriguez (2 each); and sophomore forward Manuel Alvarez (Reading, PA/Governor Mifflin) and Funchess (1 each).
Manor 2019-2020 Single-Game Rebounding Leaders (including ties): Tucker (11); Rodgers and Staten (3 each); and Alvarez, sophomore guard/forward Taleek Anderson (Philadelphia, PA/Frankford), Diaz, Funchess, and Rodriguez (1 each).
Manor 2019-2020 Double-Figure Scoring Leaders: Tucker (17); Anderson (11); Funchess and Rodgers (9 each); Diaz and Rodriguez (6 each); Hockaday (5); Staten (4); and Alvarez (3).
Manor 2019-2020 Double-Figure Rebounding Leaders: Tucker (12); Funchess (2); and Anderson and Rodriguez (1 each).
Manor 2019-2020 "Double-Double" (Points and Rebounds) Leaders: Tucker (12); and Anderson and Rodriguez (1 each).
Please note that these statistical leaders do not include one game (November 1, 2019).
Series Record: The Blue Jays are 13-12 overall (8-4 at home) versus the Vikings.
Next Game: Manor hosts NJCAA Region XIX Division II Delaware Technical Community College-Stanton (11-9 Overall, 6-5 Region XIX Division II) 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2020 at the Abington Friends School in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. This game was rescheduled from December 5, 2019. The Blue Jays are 12-11 overall (6-5 at home) versus Stanton. Manor won the previous meeting on the road, 76-72, on January 14, 2020. The Blue Jays won the previous home meeting, 109-77, on February 7, 2019. Manor has won 10 straight overall versus Delaware Technical, including five at home. This is the first time the Blue Jays will be playing a regular season game at the Abington Friends School.