NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Manhattanville College men's basketball team won an offensive shootout against John Jay College, 91-80, on Friday night at the Doghouse in non-conference play.

The Valiants were led by junior Charles Nardone (Stony Point, N.Y./North Rockland) who recorded a career-high 27 points and tied a season-high with nine rebounds. Sophomore Alex Tuci (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) also had a career night with his highest point total in his young career with 20 points.

"Charles and Alex were great on offense tonight," stated head coach Pat Scanlon. "It's great to have some scoring balance."

Things were not looking good for Manhattanville as the Valiants trailed by seven midway through the first half. The Valiants would respond with a 36-15 run to take a 14 point lead into the break.

John Jay opened up the second half with a 15-6 run to cut Manhattanville's lead to just five. However, that was the closest the Bloodhounds would get as the Valiants were able to respond and hold on for an 11 point victory thanks in large part to some hot shooting. Manhattanville shot 48 percent from the field and 45 percent from behind the arc in the second half to keep John Jay at bay.

The Valiants ended up going 30 of 65 from the field for 46 percent shooting and took advantage of numerous trips to the charity stripe going 24 of 29 from the free throw line. Manhattanville also won the rebound battle 43-35 and turned 16 Bloodhound turnovers into 21 points.

John Jay (2-12) was led by freshman Essien Epps with 22 points and junior Jesse Higgins added 20 for the Bloodhounds who suffered their fourth-straight defeat.

Along with Nardone and Tuci's career nights, senior guard Anthony Maestre (Bronx, N.Y./Mount St. Michael Academy) netted 21 points and classmate Andrew Winter (Queens, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) chipped in 10 to lead Manhattanville (8-5) to its second-straight win. Tuci also grabbed seven boards while Maestre and Winter each recorded a team-high four assists and two steals.

The Valiants will resume conference play on Wednesday when they travel to Delaware Valley for an 8 p.m. tip-off.

"You like to go into league play feeling good," concluded Scanlon. "We're pleased to get a couple of wins."