NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men's basketball team was defeated by the Quinnipiac Bobcats, 88-63, on Wednesday night inside of the Gallagher Center in the first-ever meeting between the programs. Freshman guard Marvin Jordan tied a career-high with 17 points.

"I thought we fought in stretches, but there were some exasperating turnovers (tonight) that we can't make," head coach Joe Mihalich said.  

Niagara (3-9) was playing in its first home game since Nov. 22 when it defeated another team from the Northeast Conference, Mount St. Mary's. In tonight's matchup, the Purple Eagles ran into a hot-shooting Quinnipiac (8-2) team who had a season-high in 3-point percentage. The Bobcats were 12-for-24 from behind the arc in the game for their most 3-pointers in three seasons.

Quinnipiac answered each Purple Eagle run with the long ball. NU cut a 16-point first half deficit to seven points after a layup by Kevon Moore with 2:29 left in the half, but the Bobcats would drain consecutive 3-pointers to take a 42-29 halftime lead.

NU went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 62-52 with eight minutes remaining, but Quinnipiac's James Johnson connected on a 3-pointer to halt the run. Johnson would finish the game as the leading scorer with 23 points. Anthony Nelson would cut the lead to 10 points again with 6:50 left, but that would be the closet the Purple Eagles would get.

"These guys are a little beat down and our job (coaches) is to keep them feeling good about themselves and to stay  the course. We got to get better, dribble better, pass better and shoot better."

Four Purple Eagles scored in double-digit for the second straight game. Jordan led NU in scoring on then night with a career-high tying 17 points. Kashief Edwards scored 14 points and added nine rebounds. Nelson finished with 11 points and a team-high four assists and Moore added 11 points.

Niagara will have a few days off before embarking on another road trip when it plays at Drexel on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m.

Post-Game Press Conference With Coach Mihalich