SCORE: UT Arlington 95, Niagara 90
RECORDS: UT Arlington (4-1, 0-0 Sun Belt), Niagara (2-4, 0-0 MAAC)
LOCATION: Frank and Barbara Layden Court at the Gallagher Center
Barclays Center Classic Niagara Division Final
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – In the championship game of the Barclays Center Classic Niagara Division, the UT Arlington Mavericks outlasted the Purple Eagles, 95-90, on Saturday night.
Game Summary
Niagara and UT Arlington combined for 185 points, 21 3-pointers and 40 made free throws in game that was decided in the final seconds. The Mavericks managed to pull away in the final seconds to leave the Gallagher Center with the championship trophy, despite a valiant and entertaining performance by the Purple Eagles.
The fast-paced nature of the game started early as Niagara sprinted to a 16-5 lead five minutes into the game, thanks to a 9-0 and 7-0 run. After UTA scored the first three points, Niagara rattled off nine straight points. Kahlil Dukes and Keleaf Tate hit back-to-back 3-pointers, followed by a Dominic Robb jumper and a Dukes free throw. Matt Scott scored five of Niagara's seven points during its 7-0 run for a 16-5 lead.
The Mavericks regained the lead at 26-25 with a 13-3 run. From there, the lead changed five times in a six-minute span. The Mavericks' 6-0 run gave them a 44-41 lead with 1:35 left. However, Niagara used the 3-point ball to end the half on a 9-3 run. Dukes hit a triple to tie the game at 44-44. After a basket by UTA, Marvin Prochet drained a corner 3-pointer and Matt Scott ended the half with a deep buzzer-beating 3-pointer as NU took a 50-46 lead.
Niagara kept UTA at bay for most of the second half by coming up with timely shots. Niagara had its largest lead of the half after a James Towns 3-pointer for a 68-59 advantage with 11:01 remaining. The lead was trimmed to three points six times over the next seven minutes before the Mavericks broke through. After a pair of Kahlil Dukes free throws put Niagara up, 81-78, UTA took its first lead of the second half on a 7-0 run. NU had a chance to take the lead while trailing 87-85, but Dukes missed his 3-pointer in the corner. UTA followed with a dunk for an 89-85 lead. On the en suing possession, Dukes connected on his fourth 3-pointer of the game to cut the lead to 89-88 with 1:10 left.
After UTA went back up by two points, a pair of free throws by Scott brought Niagara to 91-90 with 27 seconds left. Erick Neal made two free throws for a 93-90 UTA lead with Niagara having a chance to tie on its next possession. However, Scott missed his corner 3-pointer with 14 seconds left and UTA's Kevin Hervey iced the game with two free throws.
Eagle's Eye On…
- Matt Scott, the MAAC leading scorer, led Niagara with 26 points for his 26th career 20-point game. He made a season-high 13 free throws on 15 attempts.
- Kahlil Dukes, who is second in the league in scoring, netted 25 points and drained a game-high four 3-pointers.
- James Towns scored a season-high 13 points to be in double figures in consecutive games.
Inside The Numbers
- Niagara has scored 90-plus points in consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 2013.
- The Purple Eagles had a season-high 14 assists.
All-Tournament Team
- Erick Neal (MVP) – UT Arlington
- Kahlil Dukes – Niagara
- Matt Scott - Niagara
- Devin Peterson – Western Carolina
- Arthur Johnson – Alabama A&M
Up Next
- Niagara continues its four-game homestand on Monday against Army West Point at 7 p.m.
- Listen to Monday's game on the Niagara Sports Network via AM 1400 WWWS. Video coverage provided by LCTV.
- For ticket information, contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office at 716-286-TIXX, tickets@Niagara.edu, or www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets.
Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter
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