Senior Juan Mendez scored a career-high 39 points Wednesday. |
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – It took an extra session, but Niagara recorded a 113-101 victory over Canisius Wednesday night in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the sold-out (2,400) Gallagher Center.
The win, on senior night, was Niagara’s 17th consecutive at the Gallagher Center. The game was the sixth overtime contest in the 159-game series. Niagara improved to 17-7 overall and 12-4 in the MAAC while Canisius falls to 8-16 and 6-9. Niagara’s three seniors combined for 79 points but clutch foul shooting carried the Purple Eagles to the win.
Niagara opened the game with a 19-3 run, fueled by 13 points from senior forward Juan Mendez (Montreal). Mendez finished with a career-high 39 points to go with 13 rebounds for his 16th double-double of the season. Classmates Alvin Cruz (Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico) and David Brooks (Philadelphia) each added 20 points. Cruz added a game-high 12 assists to tie his career high. Sophomore guard Lorenzo Miles (Washington, D.C.) recorded his first-ever double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Canisius, behind the one-two punch of Kevin Downey and Dewitt Doss, rallied to take a 46-45 lead with 37 seconds left in the first half after two foul shots by Chuck Harris. Downey and Doss each finished the game with 30 points. Mendez sank three free throws with one second left before halftime to give the Purple Eagles a 48-46 lead.
After two foul shots by sophomore J.R. Duffey (Fort Worth, Texas), Niagara had a 90-83 lead with 1:55 left in regulation. Cruz sank six-straight foul shots but Brooks was fouled with 7.6 seconds left. Brooks made one of the two shots. Canisius’ Downey then dribbled downcourt and drained a long three-pointer with 1.8 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score, 97-97, and force overtime. Doss and Downey combined for the Golden Griffins’ final 19 points in the second half.
In the extra session, Duffey opened the scoring with two foul shots and Brooks added a basket in the paint for a 101-97 lead. With time winding down on the shot clock, Brooks sank a long three-point field goal for a 106-99 lead with two minutes remaining. Cruz then made four consecutive free throws to push the lead to nine points, 110-101.
Niagara sank a total of 27 of 31 free throws in the second half and overtime.
The Purple Eagles travel to Akron to play the Zips in a 7 p.m. game Saturday.
