Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men’s basketball had to rally from another early deficit, but fell short of topping crosstown rival Buffalo, 82-74, on Wednesday from the “Taps” Gallagher Center.

“The way we started the game I wasn’t sure if we could get it to where we got, so I’m proud of the guys for doing that,” head coach Joe Mihalich said.  “(A) one point game (with) two minutes to go down the stretch, they made the plays and we didn’t”.

Niagara (3-6) almost erased a 16-point first half deficit by storming back into the contest with a second half flurry. The Purple Eagles chipped away at the lead and a 3-pointer by Marvin Jordan with 2:25 remaining in the game brought the Purple Eagles to within one, 71-70. The Bulls (5-2), who shot 42 percent (10-for-24) from behind the 3-point line, got a 3-pointer from Dave Barnett with 56 seconds left to increase UB’s lead to 76-70 after Juan'ya Green missed a game-tying 3-pointer a possession earlier.

UB went 6-for-6 at the free-throw line down the stretch to take the 89th meeting between the programs.

The Purple Eagles had to play from behind for the entire game. The Bulls jumped out to an early 10-2 lead before NU went on a 9-3 spurt. Trailing 36-20, Niagara ended the half on an 8-2 run, climaxing on a 3-point play by Scooter Gillette to finish the half.

NU’s full court press defense stimulated the charge in the second half, forcing 11 UB second half turnovers including three in the opening two minutes of the half. Niagara had a season-low eight turnovers while forcing 18 UB turnovers.

However, each comeback was thwarted by a 3-pointer from the visitors.

“We are not far off, we just got to start making the winning plays,” Mihalich said. “We are a work in progress and we are trying to get better every day. This one stings, but we got better tonight.”

Green, who entered the week third in the MAAC in scoring, tied a game-high 16 points with teammate Marvin Jordan and UB’s Zach Filzen. Green also had a game-high five assists. Antoine Mason had 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds, Gillette had a career-high 12 points and Ameen Tanksley notched 12 points. It was the first time this season all five starters were in double figures.

Niagara is back on the road on Saturday, Dec. 10 to face Hartford at 6 p.m.