SCORE: Niagara 66, Buffalo 76
RECORDS: Niagara (0-1), Buffalo (1-0)
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara University men's basketball team dropped an highly-entertaining matchup against Big 4 rival Buffalo, 76-66, to open the 2016-17 season on Friday night.
Game Recap
- Niagara scored the game's opening four points on a layup by Dominic Robb and a steal and finish by Dwayne Pow within the first 90 seconds.
- Leading 6-2, Khalil Dukes scored seven straight points as the Purple Eagles built a 13-6 lead.
- After UB cut the lead to 15-14, Matt Scott then scored or assisted on three of Niagara's next four possessions, holding the lead at 22-17.
- The Purple Eagles had their largest lead of the game after a Robb layup put NU up 26-17 with 5:51 left in the first half.
- NU went into the half leading 33-31.
- The opening three minutes of the second half was played in a three-point window.
- The Bulls led 53-45 with 12:47 remaining when the Purple Eagles charged back into the game.
- A Scott lead with 7:08 on the clock put Niagara back in front, 58-57.
- However, the Bulls seized momentum with a 12-0 run in over a 3-minute span for a 72-63 lead with 1:55 left.
Eagle's Eye
- Matt Scott recorded 21 points, which marks his career-high in season-opening games. He went 8-for-8 at the free-throw line and 6 of 14 from the field.
- In his first appearance as a Purple Eagle, Kahlil Dukes scored 13 points on 5 of 9 shooting to join Scott in double figures scoring.
- The Purple Eagles had 10 steals, led by Dwayne Pow's game-high five.
- Marvin Prochet led Niagara with seven rebounds.
- Four Purple Eagles made their debuts – Kahlil Dukes, Kevin Larkin, James Towns and Shane Gatling.
Up Next
- The Purple Eagles begin a three-game road trip starting Sunday against Brown at 3 p.m. The game will air on WGR 550 AM and on the Niagara Sports Network via PurpleEagles.com
Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter
@NUPurpleEagles and for men's basketball updates atÂ
@NiagaraMBB. Check in with the Purple Eagles on
Facebook/PurpleEagles and onÂ
Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.
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