Senior Juan Mendez had a game highs of 22 points and 15 rebounds in a loss to Oklahoma Thursday. |
TUCSON, Ariz. – Despite a game-high 22 points and 15 rebounds from senior forward Juan Mendez, Niagara University men’s basketball team dropped an 84-67 decision to the University of Oklahoma Thursday afternoon at the McKale Center in the first round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament.
Niagara finished the season 20-10 while Oklahoma (25-7) advances to the second round. Mendez, from Montreal, finished his Niagara career with his 21st double-double of the season and 48th of his career. The second-leading scorer in Niagara history, he scored 2,210 points and snared 1,053 rebounds to rank third.
The Purple Eagles opened the game with an 11-6 run before the Sooners responded with an 18-5 run to take a 24-16 lead after a basket by Johnnie Gilbert with 10:31 remaining in the half. Niagara cut the lead to four points, 26-22, on a basket by senior David Brooks (Philadelphia).
Oklahoma went on a 9-0 run for a 35-22 lead after a three-point field goal by David Godbold with 5:18 left in the half. The Purple Eagles fought back and went on a 12-2 run to trail 37-34 at halftime. Mendez scored seven points in that stretch.
Niagara came within one point, 44-43, after senior guard Alvin Cruz (Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico) sank a long jump shot with 17:04 remaining. Oklahoma then went on a 12-2 run to take command with a 56-45 lead.
Cruz’s field goal was Niagara’s last until junior forward James Mathis (Newark, N.J.) scored a fast-break layup with 4:54 left. The Purple Eagles missed 16 consecutive shots during that drought. Mathis sank a foul shot to complete a three-point play and bring the Purple Eagles within 16 points, 70-54.
Brooks finished with 16 points and sophomore guard Lorenzo Miles (Washington, D.C.) had 12 points and a game-high six assists.
Mendez sank nine foul shots to finish tied for first for most free throws made (654) in Niagara history with Calvin Murphy.
Oklahoma scored 60 of its 84 points in the paint and had six players score in double figures. Drew Lavender had a team-high 17 points.
