Rider holds off Manhattan 60-57 in MAAC finale

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. (AP) Kahlil Thomas scored 19 points, Shawn Valentine had eight points and 10 rebounds and Rider beat Manhattan 60-57 on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Thomas made a hook shot in the lane for a six-point lead with 3:17 left and had a reverse layup at the 2:05 mark for a 55-49 advantage.

Manhattan pulled to 57-54, but Teddy Okereafor made two free throws with 9.7 seconds left.

Okereafor finished with 11 points and seven assists for Rider (12-19, 8-12 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), which won its second game in its last seven.

RaShawn Stores scored 12 points for Manhattan (12-17, 9-11), which has lost five of its last six games. The Jaspers were held to 6-of-25 shooting (24 percent) in the first half, turned it over nine times and trailed 27-22.

Manhattan, the two-time defending MAAC champions, will be the No. 6 seed in the conference tournament and Rider finished in eighth place.