WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Niagara Purple Eagles nearly pulled off another miraculous comeback before falling to the Hartford Hawks, 77-73, on Tuesday in the final game of their three-game road trip.

Matt Scott led all scorers by tying a career-high with 23 points, including 21 in the second half, and he grabbed seven boards. Marvin Prochet had career-highs in points with 19 and in rebounds with eight. Emile Blackman added 19 points.  

Niagara, which trailed by 21 points with 15:14 left in the game, closed the gap to 75-73 with five seconds remaining before a pair of free throws by Hartford's Jack Hobbs with four seconds on the clock effectively sealed the game.

"We competed really hard and we fought right down to the last zero," head coach Chris Casey said. "We had a chance to win that game in the end, too. As a young and new group, the grit and determination that we start and finish games with is what we need to have for 40 minutes. We haven't developed that yet and it's evolving."

The Purple Eagles (2-4) got off to a 9-2 start and led 11-7 behind Prochet's nine points. However, consecutive 3-pointers by the Hawks (3-2) pushed them ahead. The Hawks went 9-for18 from behind the arc in the first half on their way to a 39-27 halftime lead.  Hartford finished the game going 12-for-26 from 3-pointers.

Niagara methodically trimmed the 21-point second half deficit and was trailing 69-59 with 4:25 on the clock when the Purple Eagles went on a 12-5 run over the next three minutes.  

The Purple Eagles had the possession down 74-71 with eight seconds when Scott was sent to the line and made one of two free throws. Hartford made one of two free throws on its next possession for a 75-72 lead with seven seconds left. Scott was sent back to the line where he made the first free throw and missed the second as the Hawks gained the rebound and closed the game at the line.  

"The difference in the game was 3-point shooting," Casey said. "We did a better job (defending the 3-pointer) in the second half, but those nine in the first half hurt us. They are a good team and shoot the ball well. We did a decent job defensively, holding them to 37 percent from the floor, and out-rebounded them, so we did well there, but we had too many turnovers in key spots."

The Purple Eagles return home to face the Youngstown State Penguins on Saturday, Nov. 28th at 3:00p.m. For ticket information, contact the Niagara Athletics Ticket Office at 716-286-8499, visit www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets or tickets@niagara.edu.  

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