SCHENECTADY, N.Y.Junior center Jerry Fiefie pulled down a game-high 19 rebounds while contributing 16 points and freshman guard Rich Riss connected on six of seven three-point field goals to carry Manhattanville to a 72-69 victory over Union in a non-league Division III basketball game.  The Valiants not only improved their record to 3-1, they spoiled the Dutchmen's opener in the brand new Viniar Sports Center.

Fiefie, a 6'7, 270-pounder, broke a 67-67 tie with 1:24 left to play by connecting on a layup and then canning the follow-up free throw.  Junior point guard Chris Murphy pulled the Dutchmen back to within one, 70-69, with a pair of free throws with 44 seconds left before Donte Chisolm's layup with 34 seconds remaining gave the visitors a three-point lead.  The Dutchmen missed their chance to tie the game when a three-point shot bounced off the rim.

Union jumped out to an 8-0 advantage as Devon Bruce knocked down the Viniar Center's first field goal before Brian Scordato and Murphy scored in front of Bruce's second two-pointer.  The Dutchmen increased their margin to nine, 13-4, on Murphy's three-pointer with 15:31 showing in the first half.  A three-point field goal by Scordato gave Union its biggest lead of the game, 22-10, with 10:46 left. 

Riss, who finished with a game-high 21 points, then took over as he scored the game's next dozen markers by connecting on four three-point field goals.  His efforts tied the game at 22-22 with 6:59 showing.  A three-pointer by Joe Mackey and a layup by Bruce helped Union to a 27-22 advantage with 6:03 before Fiefie's layup with 3:28 remaining tied the game at 28.  Manhattanville's big man then gave the Valiants their first lead with a layup at the 2:51 mark.  The visitors enjoyed their biggest lead of the opening half, 37-30, on a layup by Chisolm and took a 37-31 advantage into the break.

A three-point field goal by Riss with 17 minutes left to play gave the Valiants' their biggest lead of the second half, 46-39, before Union fought back to take a one-point lead, 49-48, on a three-point basket by Bruce with 12:08 left.  The Dutchmen held a 60-55 advantage with 8:12 remaining as James Rahill scored on a layup.  A three-point field goal by Mike Benziger brought Manhattanville back to within two, 60-58, before Brian Fink's layup with 6:58 produced the fourth tie of the half, 60-60.  Fiefie's layup with 2:59 remaining gave the visitors a four-point advantage, 67-63, before a dunk by Bruce and a layup by John Cagianello tied the game at 67 with 2:07 showing.

Besides Fiefie and Riss, Benziger (11 points), Chisolm and John DiBetta (10 markers each) all scored in double digits.  Bruce finished with 19 points for Union while Scordato had 13 makers and a team-high 10 rebounds.  Cagianello and Darcy Bonner each contributed 10 points for the Dutchmen.