Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. –  The Niagara men’s basketball had its two-game home win streak snapped in a 69-57 setback to the Loyola Greyhounds on Friday.

“I didn’t recognize the guys in the white uniforms tonight,” head coach Joe Mihalich said. “We had a good week of practice (and) these guys played hard. I just didn’t recognize the guys in the white shirts (with) the intensity (and) the effort.”

Antoine Mason connected on a 3-pointer to pull Niagara (9-13, 4-6 MAAC) back in front, 46-44, with 8:06 remaining for the Purple Eagles’ first lead since holding an 11-10 advantage with 10 minutes left in the first half. Loyola (15-5, 8-2 MAAC) answered with an 11-0 spurt over the next five minutes as the Greyhounds held off the Purple Eagles for only their second win at the Gallagher Center in the last 15 trips. 

Each Niagara run was spurned by miscues, in particularly at the free-throw line where the Purple Eagles went 7-for-18 at the stripe, as Loyola went shot 80 percent for the free-throw line (24-for-30).

Mason finished with a team-high 19 points to lead the Purple Eagles in scoring for the fourth straight contest. Juan'ya Green added 14 points and had a team-high four assists.  

Niagara will host Manhattan (15-7, 8-2 MAAC) on Sunday at 4 p.m. in the National MAAC Game of the Week airing live on ESPN3. Calvin Murphy and Phil Scaffidi will have their new banners unfurled during the game.

For ticket information, contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office at 716-286-TIXX (8499) or at tickets@purpleeagles.com.