By Steven M. Glassman
Director of Sports Information
February 28, 2026
JENKINTOWN, PA—Manor College (17-4 overall) senior forward Cheikh Diagne (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) led the Blue Jays with a career-high tying 26 points as they defeated the USCAA Division II Christendom College (10-12) for its second consecutive Eastern States Athletic Conference (ESAC) Championship, 92-79.
The Blue Jays are the first ESAC school to play in three consecutive Conference Championship Games.
The Blue Jays previously faced the Crusaders in the second ESAC Championship Game. The Crusaders (14-10, 6-2 in 2023-2024) won, 85-75, versus the Blue Jays (12-9, 6-2) on March 16, 2024 at Crusader Gymnasium in Front Royal, Virginia.
Junior guard Manny Roach (Medford, NJ/Life Center Academy) surpassed Aaron Brown for the most career points by a Blue Jay. Roach made two free throws with 19:03 left in the first half to surpass Brown. Brown scored 1,202 in 44 games between the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 seasons when Manor was competing in the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (EPCC). Roach finished the contest with 24 points and 1,225 career in 60 games. Roach's free throws began a 14-0 run for the Blue Jays through 15:05 remaining (a 3:58 stretch) on Diagne's jump shot which gave them a 14-2 lead. The Blue Jays took its first double-digit lead, 12-2, on Diagne's layup. Manor took the lead for good during the run, 5-2, with 18:13 remaining on Diagne's three-point basket. Sophomore center Nissir Cook's (Philadelphia, PA/Philadelphia Academy Charter) layup gave the Blue Jays its largest lead of the first half, 20-7, with 12:35 left. Diagne scored Manor's 12 of its first 16 points and 18 of its 29. Christendom got as close as in the first half, 38-34, with 3:28 remaining on freshman guard Luke Vander Woude's three-point basket. The Blue Jays led at halftime, 48-40. Diagne led both teams with 22 points. Luke Vander Woude paced the Crusaders with 12 first-half points.
Roach gave Manor its first second-half double digit lead, 51-40, with 19:56 left. Diagne's layup increased the Blue Jays' lead to 55-40 with 18:24 remaining. Junior forward Deacon Linder's (Philadelphia, PA/Hardy Williams Academy [Mastery]) three-point basket gave Manor its largest lead of the game, 64-48, with 13:53 left. Following Diagne's layup with 11:31 remaining which gave the Blue Jays a 70-58 lead, Christendom went on a 15-2 run between 11:20 and 7:31 left (a 3:49 stretch. The Crusaders got within 72-71 on senior guard Bobby Vander Woude's first made throw, but missed the second. Manor answered with a 14-2 run between 6:48 and 1:16 remaining (a 5:32 stretch) and took an 88-72 lead on Roach's free throw. The Blue Jays also took another double-digit lead during this run, 85-74, on senior guard Tyray Cooper's (Baltimore, MD/Woodlawn) jump shot with 2:37 left. Defensively, Manor held Christendom without a field goal made for 6:35.2 (between 6:35 and 0:59.8). The Blue Jays outscored the Crusaders in the second half, 44-39. Bobby Vander Woude led both teams with 23 second half points. He scored Christendom's 16 of its first 24 second-half points. Roach paced Manor with 15 second-half points. Linder added 11 for the Blue Jays.
Manor is 2-1 in the ESAC Championship Game. They became the first ESAC school to win consecutive Championship Games.
The Blue Jays also won its 17th game this season. They previously won 17 during the 2017-2018 season as a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XIX Division II member.
Manor has won nine consecutive games overall and 13 out of 14 after starting the season 4-3. They won eight straight overall between January 25, 2025 and November 11, 2025.
This is the final game of the season for both schools.
Final games for Cooper, Diagne, and Nwobu: Cooper, Diagne, and forward Bryce Nwobu (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) played their final games for the Blue Jays. In Cooper's only season with Manor, in 21 games (18 starts), he averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. He also led the Blue Jays with a 54.9 overall field goal percentage. Diagne played four seasons for Manor. He played 76 games (63 starts) and did not miss a game for the Blue Jays. Diagne averaged per game, 11.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.6 steals. He also shot 31.9 from the three-point and 71.9 free throw line. Nwobu played 44 games (35 starts). He averaged per game, 14.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Nwobu also shot 50.5 overall from the field.
Statistical Leaders: In addition to Diagne, Roach scored 24 points. Linder scored 14 points. Cooper contributed Manor's first "triple-double" of the season. He scored 13 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, and paced both teams with a season-high 11 assists. Nwobu paced Manor with 14 rebounds.
Bobby Vander Woude led both teams with 29 points. Luke Vander Woude scored 15 points. Sophomore guard Michael Vander Woude added 14 points. Junior forward Daniel Schultz contributed a "double-double" with 10 points and team-leading 14 rebounds. Schultz also paced the Crusaders with three blocked shots. Junior guard John Fowler led Christendom with six assists. Sophomore forward Edmund Thomas came off the bench and paced both teams with four steals.
Manor Final 2025-2026 Single-Game Scoring Leaders (including ties): Roach (11), Nwobu (6), Cooper (3), and Diagne (2).
Manor Final 2025-2026 Single-Game Rebounding Leaders (including ties): Nwobu (10), Cooper (5), Cook (2), Roach (2) Diagne (1), and Linder (1).
Manor Final 2025-2026 Single-Game Assist Leaders (including ties): Cooper (8), Roach (7), Nwobu (5), and Diagne (3).
Manor Final 2025-2026 Single-Game Steals Leaders (including ties): Roach (6), Diagne (5), Nwobu (5), Linder (4), Cook (2), and Cooper (2).
Manor Final 2025-2026 Double-Figure Scoring Leaders: Roach (21), Cooper (16), Diagne (15), Nwobu (15), Cook (11), Linder (10), and sophomore guard Ihsan Beyah (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Wood) (1).
Manor Final 2025-2026 20-Point Games Leaders: Nwobu (8), Roach (8), Cooper (5), Diagne (3), and Cook (1).
Manor Final 2025-2026 30-Point Games Leaders: Roach (3).
Manor Final 2025-2026 Double-Figure Rebounding Leaders: Nwobu (12), Cook (4), Cooper (4), Diagne (3), Linder (1), and Roach (1).
Manor Final 2025-2026 Double-Figure Assist Leaders: Cooper (1) and Nwobu (1).
Manor Final 2025-2026 "Double-Double" (Points and Rebounds) Leaders: Nwobu (9), Cook (4), Cooper (4), Diagne (2), Linder (1), and Roach (1).
Manor Final 2025-2026 "Triple-Double" (Points, Rebounds, and Assists) Leaders: Cooper (1).
Cooper's "Triple-Double" Feat: Cooper became the first Blue Jay to contribute a "triple-double" with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. He became the second Manor Men's Basketball since its 2021-2022 USCAA debut to accomplish this. On December 6, 2024, Namir Simmons scored 21 points, pulled down 12 rebounds, and handed out 10 assists versus the USCAA Division I Bryant and Stratton-Syracuse Bobcats in the Roadrunner Classic Semifinals at Rowan College South Jersey-Gloucester in Sewell, New Jersey.
Manor Leading at Halftime (Since 2021-2022): Manor finished the season 15-1 overall (10-0 at home) when leading at halftime this season. They have won 23 of its last 24 games overall when leading at halftime, dating back to last season. Manor is 43-9 overall (24-5 at home) when leading at halftime since joining the USCAA.
Manor in the Nineties (Since 2021-2022): The Blue Jays finished the season 7-0 overall (6-0 at home) this season when scoring 90 to 99 points in a game. They are 16-4 overall (10-4 at home) since the 2021-2022 season, including 12 straight overall and 11 in a row at home.
Keeping it in the Seventies (Since (2021-2022): Manor finished the season 5-0 overall (2-0 at home) this season when they have allowed 70 to 79 points in a game. They are 14-5 (6-0 at home) since 2021-2022, including five straight wins overall.
Manor Continues to Win in Double-Figures (Since 2021-2022): The Blue Jays won in double-figures for the 14th time overall (10th at home) this season. Dating back to the 2024-2025 season, Manor has won 22 of its last 26 games overall (13 at home) by double-digits. The Blue Jays have won in double-figures 34 times overall (26 at home) since the 2021-2022 season.
Manor in the USCAA Postseason (Since 2021-2022): Manor is 2-6 overall (2-0 at home) since 2021-2022.
Manor Hosting Postseason Games: The Blue Jays are 2-0 at home as a USCAA member in hosting postseason contests. They were 1-2 at home as a NJCAA member and 8-2 as an EPCC member (since 1994-1995) (2001-2002 season missing).
Manor at Home (Since 2021-2022): Manor finished the season 12-0 at home and have won 16 straight dating back to last season. The 12 home games played and wins without a loss at home this season are the most since their 2021-2022 USCAA debut. They are 33-9 since the 2021-2022 season. They played 15 home games during the 2017-2018 season when they were NJCAA Region XIX Division II members. The Blue Jays previously won 12 home games during the 2014-2015 season. They previously went undefeated at home when they went 11-0 during the 2007-2008 season when they were EPCC members.
Season Series (Since 2021-2022): The Blue Jays are 5-2 overall (4-0 at home) versus the Crusaders.
Manor versus the ESAC (Since 2021-2022): Manor is 25-12 overall (14-4 at home) versus the ESAC since the 2021-2022 season. The Blue Jays have won 13 consecutive ESAC games, including the postseason, dating back to the 2024-2025 season.
Manor versus USCAA Division II Teams (Since 2021-2022): The Blue Jays finished the season 8-1 overall (6-0 at home) versus USCAA Division II schools. They are 34-19 overall (20-6 at home) versus USCAA Division II schools since 2021-2022.
Manor versus Virginia Colleges and Universities (Since 2021-2022): Manor finished the season 3-0 overall (3-0 at home) \versus Virginia Colleges and Universities. The Blue Jays are 9-4 overall (7-1 at home) versus Virginia Colleges and Universities since 2021-2022.
Manor in the State of Pennsylvania (Since 2021-2022): The Blue Jays finished the season 14-1 (12-0 at home) in games played in the state of Pennsylvania. They are 47-22 overall (33-9 at home) in games played in the state of Pennsylvania since 2021-2022.
Manor as a Nationally-Ranked Team (Since 2021-2022): Manor finished the season 12-3 overall (10-0 at home) as a Nationally-Ranked Team. They are 38-10 overall (18-4 at home) since 2021-2022.
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