Manhattan edges Niagara 78-77 with block at buzzer

Feb 9, 2014, 06:42 pm

LEWISTON, N.Y. -- Rhamel Brown scored 22 points and blocked six shots, including a potential game-winning layup at the buzzer as Manhattan edged Niagara 78-77 on Sunday.

Trailing by a point, Niagara had the ball with 6.6 seconds left and a chance to win after rebounding a missed jumper by Manhattan (17-6, 10-4 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) and calling a timeout. Rayvon Harris then drove to the basket but had his potential game-winner blocked by Brown, who entered the game tied for fourth in the nation with 80 blocks.

Brown was 8 of 12 from the field while George Beamon scored 20 and RaShawn Stores had 10 for Manhattan, which built an early 10-0 lead to start the game and overcame a 25-of-42 performance from the free throw line.

Antoine Mason, who entered as the nation's leading scorer at 26 points per game, led Niagara (6-19, 3-11) with 33. Niagara committed 25 turnovers.