Gardner leads Marist past Manhattan in MAAC tourney opener

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Patrick Gardner scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Marist controlled from the start beating Manhattan 61-50 on Tuesday night in an opening round contest of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament.

After Marist's early 12-4 lead, the Jaspers closed to 18-17 when Nick Brennen made a 3-pointer with 6:38 before halftime. But the Jaspers failed to score again, Marist (11-19) scored the next 18 points and went to halftime up 19. Gardner scored 10 in that span.

Manhattan closed within four on two occasions — 48-44 and 50-46 — but never got closer.

Ant Nelson scored 15 points and Josh Roberts 11 and grabbed 13 rebounds for Manhattan (12-18).

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