WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Manhattanville College men's basketball team kicked off the second half of its season this evening, Saturday, Jan. 4, with a tough 67-50 defeat at the hands of Catholic University, who hosted the Valiants in the first round of the College Park Holiday Inn Tournament. Junior Mike Granda (Monroe Township, N.J./St. Joseph) led the Crimson and White in scoring, pouring in 13 points in 21 minutes on the floor.
 
The Valiants (5-3) had a tough first half of play against the hometown Cardinals (4-7), shooting just 19.2 percent from the floor (5-of-26), compared to Catholic's 43.3 percent (13-of-30) shooting performance in the initial 20 minutes.
 
Despite trailing by 16 entering the second half, the Crimson and White did not falter and had an extremely efficient final period of play to draw up some momentum headed into tomorrow's consolation contest. Led by nine points from senior Cory Madden (Woodside, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy Memorial), who was a perfect 3-of-3 from the floor – including 2-of-2 from long range – the Valiants were 44.0 percent from the field and scored 33 points. Granda nailed a pair of threes in the second half as well, while sophomore Chris Brown (Miami, Fla./Coral Gables Senior) was 2-of-2.
 
Overall, sophomore Petey Galgano (New Rochelle, N.Y./Wilbraham & Monson Academy (Mass.)) was the game's second-leading rebounder as he topped all Valiants with nine boards. He chipped in six points, two steals, a block and an assist as well. He and the rest of his Crimson and White teammates return to action tomorrow evening, Sunday, Jan 5., for a 5:00 p.m. meeting with Ursinus College in the consolation game. The Valiants and Bears have met twice before Sunday, but not since 1998, and split the two previous matchups.