Manhattan seniors go out with a victory

There they were, the four seniors who helped return Manhattan College to basketball greatness, assembled at midcourt before they would take on Quinnipiac University in their final home game on Sunday.

The Bronx trio of Ashton Pankey, Emmy Andujar and RaShawn Stores, along with Donovan Kates out of Kentucky — key cogs in the Jaspers’ run to the NCAA Tournament last season — were all taking their final bows in front of an appreciative Draddy Gymnasium crowd before performing one last time on the home court and then heading off into Manhattan basketball history.

The Jaspers barely made it through their emotional pregame festivities as both Andujar and head coach Steve Masiello were near tears during the ceremony. But roughly two hours later, the tears were replaced by laughs, hugs and one final salute to Jaspers Nation as Pankey, Andujar, Stores and Kates circled the gym, high-fiving anyone who held out a congratulatory hand after the Jaspers ended their regular season with a 69-65 victory over Quinnipiac on Senior Day in Riverdale.

The victory clinched third place in the MAAC for the Jaspers and saw them finish the regular season at 15-13 overall and 12-7 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).

“Just a great win. Not just because we beat Quinnipiac, but just for these guys,” said Masiello, who was flanked by Stores, Andujar, Pankey and Kates in the postgame press conference. “It was very fitting that we won on a defensive stop as their career should end. It was an emotional day for all of us. I’m proud and now it’s time to have some fun.”

But the victory didn’t come without some anxious moments in the final seconds for the Jaspers. After a spinning layup by Andujar with 1:32 to play gave Manhattan a 68-62 lead, it looked like the Jaspers had all but sealed the deal. But Quinnipiac (15-13, 9-11 MAAC) would not go quietly. When James Ford drilled a three-pointer with 1:14 to play to cut the Jaspers lead to 68-65, the raucous Draddy Gym crowd suddenly grew silent.