Niagara University, NY (March 2, 2003) - The Niagara men's basketball team defeated Marist 88-87 in front of a crowd of 1,861 at the Gallagher Center. Niagara ends the seasons at 16-11 (12-6 MAAC) while Marist finishes with a 12-15 (8-10 MAAC)

"This was another hard fought battle by our guys," said head coach Joe Mihalich. "The other night we win in overtime and today we won in the final seconds. This team has really come together."

Juan Mendez (25-10) and James Reaves (11-12) each scored the double-double. Tremmell Darden finished with 20 points. David Brooks hit five-of-eight three-pointers and the team would finish the day making 11-of-12.

Marist was lead in scoring by Chris Handy who netted 21. Nick Eppehimer and Brandon Ellerbee each had 18 points. The Redfoxes went 12-for-25 from three-point land.

The start of the game did not look good for the Purple Eagles as Marist jumped out to a 15-0 lead 4:28 into the game. James Mathis put Niagara on the board on a pass from Mendez. Niagara eventually took the lead on a Brooks three-pointer with just 5:09 left in the first half. Niagara was up by six at one point but Eppehimer hit two straight three-pointers to tie the game. Marist went into the half with a 42-40 lead.

Brooks finished the half hitting three-of-four from the arc. Mendez scored 14 first-half points and Darden netted 11.

In the second half Alvin Cruz would put in an early three to give Niagara the lead. The Purple Eagles would retain the lead for most of the second half, three times going up by seven. Handy would score with 5:16 left in the game to give the Red Foxes the lead again. Niagara would hold a two point lead until Eppehimer hit a three to give Marist the lead again with just so-seconds left. Reaves clinched the game for Niagara with just three seconds left on a lay-up.

Niagara will travel to Trenton, NJ this week for the MAAC Tournament. Niagara will find out it first opponent later on this evening.