NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles had their bid for a season sweep of the Fairfield Stags fall short in a 72-66 defeat on Thursday night.

Antoine Mason led all scorers with 22 points for his 21st 20-point game of the season. Backcourt teammate freshman Wesley Myers joined Mason in double figures by netting a career-high 17 points. Marcus Ware scored 11 points and Ramone Snowden added 10 points while each barely missing on double-doubles with eight and nine rebounds, respectively. 

NU (6-22, 3-14 MAAC) also dominated in points in the paint, outscoring the Stags (6-22, 3-14 MAAC) 42-18. However those stats were not enough to overcome an 11-for-25 night at the free-throw line, along with Fairfield's 11 3 pointers, which were the second most by the Stags this season.

The Purple Eagles, who lead 9-5 in the early minutes, suffered a scoring lull late in the first half. Niagara led 20-19 at the nine-minute mark before Fairfield ended the half on a 15-4 run to take a 34-24 halftime lead.

Niagara kept the margin close in the second half, including cutting the lead to four points with 7:37 remaining, but the Stags halted each Purple Eagles' push with timely 3-pointers. NU cut the lead to 61-56 with 3:31 left when Fairfield drained consecutive 3-pointers to build an 11-point lead with two minutes remaining.

"We had some opportunities in the first half to try to stretch the lead and make them play from behind and we didn't do that," head coach Chris Casey said. "In the second half, we had ourselves in a hole. We made a run back at it. We have to make a few more free throws and shots and play in front rather than behind for the entire game."

The Purple Eagles conclude their home schedule on Saturday, Feb. 22 versus Quinnipiac at 3 p.m. The game will air live on WGR 550 AM and Purple Eagles All-Access.  

For ticket information, contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office at 716-286-8499 (TIXX), tickets@PurpleEagles.com, and www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets.