DETROIT – The Niagara men’s basketball team was defeated by the Detroit Titans, 96-77, on Sunday at Cailhan Hall in its last game of the Legends Classic. Senior guard Anthony Nelson led the game with a career-high 31 points.

“We had some ups and downs this weekend," head coach Joe Mihalich said. "We played three games without Anthony Nelson and then three without Antoine Mason and Eric Williams. We need to get home and get healthy." 

Niagara (2-4) was playing with a rotation of seven players for the third straight game due to injuries to Antoine Mason and Eric Williams and had to rely on its lone senior for their offense. Nelson set career-highs with 31 points and 11 field goals, while tying a career-high with three 3-pointers. Nelson’s 31 points are the most by a Purple Eagle since Tyrone Lewis scored 31 points at Manhattan on Jan. 31, 2009. 

The iron was unkind to the Purple Eagles who had several shots rim out in the game. Detroit (4-3) shot 52 percent from the field in the first half and took a 52-33 halftime lead. The Purple Eagles forced the tempo in the second half and scored 18 points off of 11 Titans turnover, but were unable to cut the lead under 15.

“We started out today looking like freshmen, but ended the game looking like upper classmen,” Mihalich said.

Freshman Marvin Jordan scored 14 points in 34 minutes of action, while classmate Skylar Jones scored 11 and had a career-high eight rebounds. Junior Kashief Edwards scored 10 points and had nine boards. Edwards averaged 14.7 ppg and 7.0 rpg to be named to the Detroit Subregional All-Tournament Team. 

Niagara wraps up play in the Legends Classic with a 1-3 mark. Niagara opens conference play next weekend on Friday at Marist and on Sunday at Iona.

Detroit Subregional All-Tournament Team
Logan Aronhalt- Albany
Scott Thomas- Bolwing Green State
Kashief Edwards- Niagara
Nick Minnerath- Detroit
Eli Holman- Detroit (MVP)