Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – A school record performance by Juan'ya Green was not enough as Niagara fell to the Fairfield Stags, 79-75, in the conference opener on Friday night.

Green set a freshman scoring record by dropping 35 points which included five 3-pointers and a perfect 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. Green broke Garry Jordan’s freshman single-game record of 30 points against Saint Peter’s on Jan. 4, 1978.

Green scored 23 of his 35 points in the second half and had some more late game heroics to setup a wild finish. Green scored seven points in 13 seconds to cut Niagara’s deficit to 77-75 with six seconds remaining in the game. However, two free throws by the Stags Sean Crawford sealed the game.

“I have that conflicted feeling of disappointment and excitement,” head coach Joe Mihalich said.  “I’m disappointed obviously we didn’t get the job done, but excited because especially these two guys (Green and Tanksley) here they showed what they can do. We quite didn’t get it done today, but I think we took a giant step in the right direction.”

Niagara (3-4, 0-1 MAAC), which was playing at home for the first time since Nov. 14, connected a season-high 10 3-pointers in the game and had a season-high 18 assists. Green made one of his five 3-pointers with seven seconds left in the first half to cut Fairfield’s (4-4, 1-0 MAAC) lead to 47-41 at halftime.

Niagara was on the verge of tying or taking the lead on several occasions. A free throw by Ameen Tanksley brought Niagara to 60-58 with 7:31 left; however, Fairfield scored six straight points and increased its lead to 13 with 1:49 remaining.

Tanksley surpassed his career-high in points in the first half and finished with 15. Tanksley also recorded his first double-double of his career with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Green and Tanskely combined for 50 points and 20 rebounds. Marvin Jordan added 11 points on the night.

Niagara is back at the Gallagher Center on Sunday to face the Iona Gaels at 2 p.m.