Lawrenceville, N.J. — In a thrilling contest on Sunday, Shaquil Bender played a crucial role in leading Manhattan to an 80-79 victory over Rider. Bender scored 18 points, and his performance was pivotal in the tightly contested game.

With just three seconds remaining, Jaden Winston sank a game-winning three-pointer, propelling Manhattan into the lead. Following this momentum shift, Bender made a key steal on Rider’s subsequent possession that effectively secured the win for the Jaspers. Bender’s overall attendance in the game included 6 of 13 shooting from the field, complemented by 4 of 8 accuracy from beyond the arc.

Joining Bender in the scoring effort was Masiah Gilyard, who added 18 points to the scoreboard, converting 8 of 15 attempts from the floor. Although he struggled with his three-pointers, going 0 for 4, he managed to contribute with two successful free throws out of four attempts. Wesley Robinson also had a notable performance, finishing with 17 points, having shot 6 of 13 overall, including 2 of 3 from three-point territory, and perfecting all his free throw attempts with 3 for 3. Additionally, Robinson helped the team by grabbing eight rebounds.

On the other side, Jay Alvarez emerged as the leading scorer for the Broncs, tallying 23 points, while his teammate TJ Weeks Jr. contributed with 13 points and secured six rebounds. Zion Cruz also made his mark by scoring 11 points and providing seven assists. However, the defeat marked an unfortunate eighth consecutive loss for Rider, significantly affecting their season.

This game highlighted an intense battle on the court, showcasing the competitiveness of both teams and the critical moments that can define a victory in college basketball.