By Steven M. Glassman
Director of Sports Information
November 17, 2023
SCRANTON, PA—United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division II State University of New York (SUNY)-Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) (2-5) sophomore forward Patrick Emery led both teams with 31 points (including 10 in overtime) and 16 rebounds as the Oaks defeated Division I Manor College (2-1), 98-89, in overtime, in the Electric City Semifinals, hosted by NCAA Division III.
The Oaks led by as much as six points multiple times early in the first half, including when they led 24-18 with 12:00 left when senior guard Christian Rossi made a free throw. The Blue Jays responded with a 10-3 run over the next 3:13 and took its first lead of the game, 28-27 (8:47), on a sophomore forward Cheikh Diagne (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) three-point basket with an assist by junior guard Namir Simmons (Philadelphia, PA/Academy Park). Manor took the lead, 33-32 (7:04), for the remainder of the first half when junior forward Jarid Vertil (Willingboro, NJ/Rahway) made a three-point basket with an assist by freshman guard Manny Roach (Medford, NJ/Life Center Academy). The Blue Jays led by as much as eight points, 41-33 (4:58), on a Diagne layup with an assist by freshman guard Steven Latimer (Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley). This capped off a 11-1 run over a 2:06 stretch. They also led by eight again, 43-35 (2:43), on a Diagne layup with an assist by senior guard Eddie Fortescue, Jr (Blue Bell, PA/Wissahickon). Manor led at halftime, 43-37. Emery led both teams with 13 points. Diagne paced the Blue Jays with 12 first-half points.
Manor took its first double-digit lead, 47-37 (19:26), on a Roach layup with an assist by Simmons. The Blue Jays led as much by 50-37 with 18:56 remaining on a Roach layup. Manor maintained a lead over the next 14:04 until SUNY-ESF sophomore guard Antonio Franco Aguado sank a three-point basket (with an assist by sophomore guard Nate McCarthy) with 4:52 left (68-67). This was the Oaks' first lead since 32-30 (7:18) in the first half. SUNY-ESF led until Simmons made a layup with an assist by Diagne with 1:58 remaining (73-72). Franco Aguado made a layup with 1:46 left (74-73) and Vertil tied it at 74 with a free throw with 1:30 remaining. The Oaks outscored the Blue Jays in the second half, 37-31. Franco Aguado (SUNY-ESF) and Simmons (Manor) each led their teams with 12 points.
The Blue Jays took the first overtime lead, 76-74, when Simmons made a layup with 4:56 left. Manor took its last overtime lead, 77-76, when Fortescue Jr made a free throw with 4:20 remaining. SUNY-ESF took the lead for good, 78-77, on an Emery jump shot with an assist by Rossi with 3:58 remaining. The Blue Jays got as close as 83-81 with 2:13 left on a Vertil layup with an assist by Fortescue, Jr. The Oaks led by 10 points, 94-84, on a Franco Aguado free throw with 35 seconds remaining. SUNY-ESF outscored Manor in overtime, 24-15. Emery led both teams with 10 points.
SUNY-ESF will play Marywood University (3-2) in the Electric City Championship. Marywood defeated Central Pennsylvania College (0-4), 106-90, in the other semifinal.
Statistical Leaders: Simmons led the Blue Jays with 21 points and seven assists. Diange registered his first career "double-double" with 15 points and a team-leading 12 rebounds. Roach also scored 15 points and Vertil (13) and Fortescue Jr (12) rounded out the double-figure scoring for Manor.
In addition to Emery, Franco Aguado scored 20 and sophomore guard Andrew Cox added 15 points. Rossi contributed 11 points and a team-leading seven assists. McCarthy scored 11 points for SUNY-ESF.
Manor 2023-2024 Single-Game Scoring Leaders (including ties): Simmons (2) and Roach (1).
Manor 2023-2024 Single-Game Rebounding Leaders (including ties): Diagne (2), freshman center Cristeph Lamothe (Philadelphia, PA/Camelot Excel Academy) (1), and Roach (1).
Manor 2023-2024 Single-Game Assists Leaders (including ties): Simmons (3).
Manor 2023-2024 Single-Game Steals Leaders (including ties): Diagne (1), Roach (1), and Simmons (1).
Manor 2023-2024 Double-Figure Scoring Leaders: Daigne (3), Fortescue Jr (3), Roach (3), Simmons (3), Latimer (1), freshman forward Deacon Linder (Philadelphia, PA/Hardy Williams Academy [Mastery]) (1), and Vertil (1).
Manor 2023-2024 20-Point Games Leaders: Simmons (2), Fortescue Jr (1), and Roach (1).
Manor 2023-2024 30-Point Games Leaders: None.
Manor 2023-2024 Double-Figure Rebounding Leaders: Diagne (1).
Manor 2023-2024 "Double-Double" (Points and Rebounds) Leaders: Diagne (1).
Season Series (Since 1994-1995): This is the first match-up between the two schools.
Manor in Overtime Games (Since 2021-2022): The Blue Jays are 1-2 overall (0-1 at neutral sites) in overtime games since joining the USCAA.
Manor in In-Season Tournaments (Since 2021-2022): The Blue Jays are 3-6 overall in In-Season Tournaments (3-5 at neutral sites) since joining the USCAA.
Manor Versus USCAA Division II (Since 2021-2022): Since joining the USCAA, Manor is 8-11 overall (1-4 at neutral sites) versus USCAA Division II schools.
Manor Versus the HVIAC (Since 2021-2022): The Blue Jays are 2-2 overall (1-1 at neutral sites) versus Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) since joining the USCAA.
Next Game: Manor plays Central Pennsylvania in the Electric City Classic Consolation Game on Saturday, November 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The Blue Jays split the regular season versus the Knights during the 2022-2023 season. Manor won. 93-85, at home, on December 13, 2022. The Knights won 95-79, at East Pennsboro High School, on February 11, 2023. Since the 1994-1995 season, Manor leads the season-series 25-3 overall (12-3 on the road/neutral sites). Since joining the USCAA for the 2021-2022 season, the Blue Jays lead the season series, 2-1 (0-1 on the road/at neutral sites). This game will not count towards the Eastern States Athletic Conference (ESAC) win-loss record.
Manor Athletics on Social Media:
Instagram: manor_athletics.
Twitter: @manorbluejays.
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