KINGS POINT, N.Y. – Thanks in part to a solid 24-point team-leading effort from junior Mike Granda (Monroe Township, N.J./St. Joseph), the Manhattanville College men's basketball team was able to accomplish something the program has been unable to do since 2013-14, and that is clinch a spot in the conference postseason. The Valiants did so tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 11, as members of the Skyline Conference following a thrilling 72-68 overtime victory on the road over the United States Merchant Marine Academy. It was also the 14th victory of the season for the squad, the most since 2010-11 when Manhattanville went 14-11.
 
The Valiants (14-8, 9-4 Skyline) dominated the first half of play by shooting 53.8 percent and holding the Mariners (8-14, 4-9 Skyline) to just 26.9 percent and taking a 31-19 lead into the break. Senior JoJo Cobbs (Elmsford, N.Y./Briarcliff) was 6-of-7 from the floor in the half, scoring 12 of his 18 points for the game as the only player in double-figures in the first 20 minutes. However, it was the home Merchant Marine team that controlled the second half in order to tie it up dramatically and force overtime.
 
Manhattanville led by as many as 15 points on two occasions in the second, first following a three from Granda at 14:36 to make it 44-29 and then a little while later on another three, this time from rookie Tommy Lotito (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's) at 12:16 to make it 49-34. The rest of the second belonged USMMA as the hosts eventually clawed back to tie it at 56-56 on a huge three with 1:39 remaining in regulation.
 
It looked as though the Valiants would be able to hold the Mariner comeback off, however, as Granda hit several free throws down the stretch to put his team up by three at 62-59 with just nine seconds left. USMMA then regained possession with time winding down, drew a foul and made the first free throw with 00:04 on the clock. The Mariners then missed the second shot in order to try for the offensive board, which they grabbed, and put up a shot to tie it with three second remaining to force overtime.
 
That momentum continued for Merchant Marine into the extra period as the squad took a three-point 68-65 lead over Manhattanville with 2:26 left. Fortunately for the Valiants, Granda drew a foul on a three-point attempt and hit two of those shots to make it a two-point game. Then, with 00:46 remaining, rookie Khari Taylor (Bronx, N.Y./St. Raymond) grabbed a huge offensive rebound off a missed shot to was immediately fouled. He would hit both of his free throws to tie it and give his squad the lead. Down the stretch, Granda and Lotito combined for three more made free throws to seal it at 72-68 for the victory.
 
Highlights:

• Granda scored 18 of his team-high 24 points in the second half and overtime.
• Sophomore Jake Dunn (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell) had his fourth double-digit scoring performance in his last five games, finishing with 13 points.
• Taylor led all players with 10 rebounds, adding six points.
• Lotito finished with a collegiate- and game-best five steals to go with five points and two rebounds.
• Granda, Cobbs, Dunn and sophomore Petey Galgano (New Rochelle, N.Y./Wilbraham & Monson Academy (Mass.)) each dished out three assists.

Now at 9-4 in Skyline play, the Valiants return to action this Friday night, Feb. 14, at 8:00 p.m. in the Battle of Anderson Hill Road at Purchase College. Manhattanville is just one game out of first place in the North Division behind only the Panthers (10-3). Purchase defeated the Valiants 96-74 at Kennedy Gymnasium back on Jan. 14, but Manhattanville looks to split the season series and earn a share of the top spot in the north on Friday.