Manhattan Holds Off Rider 95-90 Behind Devin Dinkins' 22 Points

Manhattan's Devin Dinkins stole the show at Draddy Gymnasium, scoring 22 points to lead Manhattan to a 95-90 victory over Rider. The win marked a strong performance by the Manhattan squad, with Dinkins' efforts complemented by Terrance Jones' 18 points and 5 rebounds, and Jaden Winston's impressive 16 points and 10 assists.

The first half saw Manhattan take a 45-43 lead, with Dinkins and Jones setting the tone early. Rider's Zion Cruz, however, was not to be underestimated, as he matched Dinkins' scoring pace with 22 points of his own, adding 5 rebounds to his stat line. The two teams traded baskets throughout the second half, with Manhattan ultimately pulling away to secure the win.

The CHD Scout prediction had Manhattan winning by 10.5 points, and while the actual margin was narrower at 5 points, the prediction proved correct in terms of the outcome. Manhattan's performance was a reflection of their resilience, as they managed to hold off a determined Rider team.

Caleb Smith and Flash Burton also had notable performances for Rider, with 18 points and 7 rebounds, and 15 points and 11 assists, respectively. Despite these efforts, Rider was unable to overcome Manhattan's balanced attack.

The victory improves Manhattan's record to 9-14, while Rider falls to 2-18. In terms of tournament implications, this game was classified as a Quadrant 4 matchup for both teams. As such, the win does little to bolster Manhattan's resume, but it does prevent a potentially damaging loss. For Rider, the defeat is another blow to their already slim tournament hopes.

Given the Quadrant 4 designation, Manhattan's win will not significantly impact their tournament chances. However, it does demonstrate the team's ability to perform against lesser opponents, which could be crucial in building momentum for the remainder of the season. With the loss, Rider's chances of making a postseason push continue to dwindle, and they must regroup and refocus if they hope to salvage their season.

In the end, Manhattan's strong team performance, led by Dinkins' 22 points, was too much for Rider to handle. While the win may not have significant tournament implications, it is a crucial step for Manhattan as they look to build on their 9-14 record and make a push for the remainder of the season. The resume impact of this result is clear: Manhattan avoids a bad loss, while Rider's already slim tournament hopes take another hit.