PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College men's basketball team got off to a slow start Sunday, Dec. 1, falling behind by as many as 11 points with 6:55 remaining in the first half. However, the Valiants were able to storm all the way back to within three points following 20 minutes of play before coming away with the seven-point, 76-69 victory over Western Connecticut State University at Kennedy Gymnasium, thanks in large part to overall team offensive success, with five different players in double-figures for Manhattanville.
 
The Valiants (3-1) were led once again by junior guard Mike Granda's (Monroe Township, N.J./St. Joseph) team-high 16 points. The co-captain was 5-of-11 from the floor, including 4-of-7 from long range, and added four helpers and a steal. Sophomore guard Jake Dunn (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell) notched 15 points, including a trio of three-pointers, to go with five rebounds, four assists and three steals. His class- and backcourt-mate Petey Glagano chipped in 13 points on 6-of-7 from the floor to go with three apiece of steals, assists and rebounds. Senior guard JoJo Cobbs (Elmsford, N.Y./Briarcliff) and sophomore forward Chris Brown (Miami, Fla./Coral Gables Senior) each finished with 12 points. The former led all players with five assists to go with three boards and two steals, while the latter was 6-of-7 from the field, pulled down four boards, dished out two assists and grabbed one steal.
 
Following a tight first half, the Crimson and White jumped all over the Colonials (4-3) in the second. The home squad jumped out to as large of a lead as 15 points at 68-53 with 8:09 remaining following eight points from Dunn, including two threes, and a long-range make from Granda as well to put the Valiants' on an 11-0 run. However, WestConn eventually clawed all the way back to within one point at 70-69 with 1:24 remaining, but rookie guard Tommy Lotito (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's) and Galgano hit back-to-back buckets to make it a five-point game at 74-69 with 00:24 left to force a Colonial timeout. Several fouls later, including a pair of made free throws from Dunn, and Manhattanville was able to come away victorious.
 
Up next for the Crimson and White as another home game this coming Wednesday evening, Dec. 4, at 7:00 p.m. against Wesleyan University. The Valiants will be looking for their first win over the Cardinals, as they face off for the third straight season.