Game Highlights 
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Marvin Jordan's 3-pointer with four seconds remaining was the game-winning basket as Niagara edged archrival Canisius, 66-65, in a thrilling Little 3 contest on Sunday.

In front of a national audience on ESPN3 and a sold-out, raucous crowd at the Koessler Athletic Center, Niagara erased a 10-point second-half deficit to pull out one of the most dramatic wins in the storied history between the programs.

The Purple Eagles continued their success over Canisius in the last 10 seasons, having won 18 of the last 21 including nine of the last 12 at the KAC. 

“I don’t know if I have ever been prouder,” head coach Joe Mihalich said. “We wouldn’t give in. The way the first half ended, in the middle of the (second) half we were down and got down four late. For our guys to keep their composure and the next thing we knew it was tied.  It was an incredible game. I’m proud of our team…we beat a good team.”

Jordan, who holds the program’s freshman and sophomore single-season 3-point records, made arguably his biggest 3-pointer of his career with four seconds left in the game. Jordan was instrumental to Niagara’s second half comeback, scoring 19 of his game-high 23 points in the half.

Niagara trailed 32-25 at halftime and trailed 39-29 early in the second half.  Trailing 51-44, NU went on an 11-0 run. Jordan scored six straight points during the run to give Niagara its first lead of the game since it was 23-21 at the 7:37 mark in the first half, and Juan'ya Green capped the run with a layup as NU led 55-51 with six minutes left.

However, the game featured four lead changes and three ties until the last minute of play.

With the game deadlocked at 63-63, Canisius’ Billy Baron drove in the lane to convert a layup with 11 seconds on the clock. Niagara immediately inbounded the ball to Green and who found Jordan spot up behind the 3-point line in front of Niagara bench and he drained his third triple of the game with four seconds left.

“I just knew to be shot ready and I trusted him (Green) to trust me,” Jordan said on the final play.

Canisius, as NU did in the prior possession, immediately inbounded the ball to Baron who 3-pointer at the buzzer went in. The officials counted the basket, though after review the play, waived it off as the ball was still in Baron’s hand.

“Today we came out on top (but) we can play that team 50 times and it would be probably 25 each,” Mihalich said. “I have a ton of respect for that the team.”

Jordan continued his success against Canisius at the KAC. He scored 23 as a freshman, 16 last season and a season-high 23 points tonight.

Antoine Mason was the other Purple Eagle to score in double figures with 14 points. Mason has scored in double figures in 28 straight games. Green scored nine points and had game-highs of eight assists and five steals to tie a career-high.

“I think these guys believe in themselves and they have reasons too (because) we have found a way to win and I hope we keep finding a way to win,” Mihalich said.

Niagara stays in first place after tying a program-best 9-1 record in MAAC play while extending its program-best ninth straight regular season MAAC win.

Niagara will host second place Iona (14-7, 8-2 MAAC) on Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPN3. Niagara Athletics will hand out t-shirts to the first 1,500 fans in an attempt to “White Out” the Gallagher Center.

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