Manhattan wins close victory over Hofstra 66-59

Nov 30, 2013, 06:36 pm

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Michael Alvarado scored 23 points during a tightly contested matchup to lead Manhattan in a 66-59 victory over local rival Hofstra on Saturday.

Alvarado made eight of Jaspers final 10 points to stay ahead of Hofstra after leading by just one (60-59) with 1:33 left to play. Rhamel Brown grabbed two offensive rebounds in a row and made a layup to stretch the lead to 64-59.

Manhattan (4-3) trailed by three at the half, but turned the game around after the break and outscored the Pride 39-29. The Jaspers made 7 of 8 free throws in the final eight minutes and finished 78.3 percent from the line.

Zeke Upshaw made a 3-pointer with 5:33 remaining for the Pride (2-5), after which the game did not move beyond a three-point margin until the final 25 seconds. Upshaw led Hofstra with 21 points and made three of the team's six 3-pointers.