Box Score

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The Niagara men’s basketball team was unable to hold off a second half surge by the Fairfield Stags, falling 77-69 on Friday at the Webster Bank Arena.

Niagara (9-15, 4-8 MAAC) controlled most of the first half with a balanced attack. NU outscored Fairfield (12-10, 7-4 MAAC) 22-10 in the paint and went 8-for-9 at the free-throw line. A driving layup by Malcolm Lemmons at 8:28 put Niagara back up 18-17, and the Purple Eagles led the rest of the way to the end of the half up 34-31.

The Stags regained the lead two minutes into the second half as the lead changed six times over the next five minutes. A 3-pointer by Desmond Wade with 12:18 on the clock sparked a 12-3 to put Fairfield back in the lead for the rest of the game.

Each potential Niagara run was halted by a momentum stopping 3-pointer, as the Stags success from the perimeter was the difference in tonight’s contest. Fairfield went 12-for-24 from behind the arc and made seven 3-pointers in the second half alone.  In contrast, Niagara went 2-for-14 from long range. Niagara did have an advantage in points in the paint (40-22) and in rebounds (37-31).

“We go to do a better job believing that we can win and I think that is going to take getting a good win,” head coach Joe Mihalich said. “We had a couple (wins) but we have to get in the habit of winning.”

Four Purple Eagles were in double figures, led by Antoine Mason’s 16 points. Juan'ya Green had 15 points, Lemmons finished with 13 points and Ameen Tanksley added 12 points. Tanksley also recorded his second career double-double adding 12 caroms in the game.  Tanksley’s first double-double also came against Fairfield on Dec. 2. Tanksley and Green tied for game-high honors with three steals apiece.

Fairfield’s Derek Needham led all scorers with a career-high 32 points.

Niagara continues its weekend road trip with its first meeting with the Rider Broncs on Sunday at 1 p.m.