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Niagara University Athletics

Men's Basketball

Late Rally Powers Niagara Past Fairfield, 78-73


Junior Clif Brown registered his first double-double at Niagara with 11 points and 10 rebounds vs. Fairfield Thursday.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University men’s basketball team scored the game’s last six points as the Purple Eagles (4-9, 1-4) defeated Fairfield University (4-9, 2-3), 78-73, Thursday night in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Gallagher Center.

Sophomore Charron Fisher (Pennsauken, N.J.) sank a short jump shot in the lane and was fouled with 38.5 seconds left. Fisher sank the foul shot to give the Purple Eagles a 75-73 lead. On Fairfield’s possession, Fisher stole a pass and drove the length of the floor for a dunk with 22 seconds to play. Fairfield then missed a shot on its possession and Niagara junior guard Lorenzo Miles (Washington, D.C.) sank one free throw for the final margin.

Fairfield opened the game with a 16-3 run. The Stags’ Michael Van Schaick powered the run with six points. Van Schaick finished with 16 points as did Dewitt Maxell. Fairfield was led by Terrence Todd’s 18 points and eight rebounds.

Niagara responded with a 21-4 run for a 24-20 lead with 9:28 to play in the first half. Miles and junior forward Clif Brown (Ferndale, Mich.) each scored six points as five Purple Eagles scored in the run.

The Purple Eagles eventually took an eight-point lead, 31-23, after two free throws by senior James Mathis (Newark, N.J.) with 7:08 to play. Fairfield took a 35-34 lead on a layup by Herbie Allen with 3:30 to play. The Purple Eagles took a 44-43 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Maxwell scored 10 points in the second half to pull Fairfield to a 65-60 lead with 8:58 remaining. Junior J.R. Duffey (Fort Worth, Texas) sank his third three-point field goal of the game to give the Purple Eagles a 67-65 lead with 7:02 remaining. The teams traded points until Fairfield’s Van Schaick sank two foul shots with 4:15 to play to give the Stags a 71-69 lead. Duffey scored in the lane to tie the game at 71. Mathis sank one of two free throws to give Niagara a 72-71 lead before Van Schaick scored on a short jump shot in the lane for a 73-72 lead, setting the stage for Fisher’s heroics.

Duffey led Niagara with a career-high 18 points while Miles and Fisher each finished with 13 points. Brown recorded his first double-double at Niagara with 11 points and 10 rebounds while Mathis and junior guard Barry Durosier (Orlando, Fla.) each netted 10 points. Sophomore guard Stanley Hodge (Washington, D.C.) had a career-high nine assists. The last time Niagara had six players score in double figures was in a Niagara 102-97 win over Rider on Jan. 20, 2005, in the Gallagher Center.

The Purple Eagles face Loyola Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Gallagher Center.

Niagara Men’s Basketball Game Notes

Niagara vs. Fairfield – Jan. 12, 2005

Gallagher Center

Final Score: Niagara 78, Fairfield 73

 

  • With tonight’s 78-73 win, Niagara improved its record to 4-9 and recorded its first MAAC win of the season (1-4).  It was the Purple Eagles’ first win since Dec. 30 against Appalachian State and their first home win since Nov. 21 against St. Bonaventure.  The Purple Eagles are now 2-4 at home this season.

  • This is Niagara’s first game at the Taps Gallagher Center in over a month.

  • Niagara has a 330-129 all-time record in the Taps Gallagher Center.

  • Niagara started Lorenzo Miles, Charron Fisher, Stanley Hodge, J.R. Duffey, and James Mathis for the eighth time this season. The lineup is 1-6 on the season.

  • The Purple Eagles snapped a three-game losing streak overall and a four-game home losing streak.

  • Niagara has swept the series against Fairfield three of the last four years.

  • Niagara is 31-17 against Fairfield all time.

  • Hodge had a career high nine assists tonight. The last Purple Eagle to do that was David Brooks on March 7, 2005, vs. Rider in the MAAC Championship Game.

  • Brown tied his career-high three three-point field goals.

  • Stanley Hodge tied his career-high with one three-point field goal and two steals.

  • Brown had 10 rebounds and 11 points tonight for his first double-double as a Purple Eagle.

  • Barry Durosier tied his career high with two steals tonight.

  • Duffy had a career-high 18 points tonight his previous high was 17 against Canisius (Dec. 16, 2005).

  • Niagara had a season-high team total 12 field goals from three-point range. Most since Feb, 26, 2005, at Rider with 14.

  • Mathis tied his career high with one three-pointer tonight.
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