SCORE: Niagara 89, Cornell 86
RECORDS: Niagara Purple Eagles (7-6, 0-0 MAAC), Cornell Big Red (5-5, 0-0 Ivy League)
LOCATION: Newman Arena – Cornell University
 
ITHACA, N.Y. – The Niagara University Purple Eagles picked up their third straight victory by edging the Cornell Big Red, 89-86, on Saturday.
 
Game Summary
For the third consecutive game, the outcome of the contest was decided on the final possession.  Clinging to an 87-86 lead with 11 seconds left, Marvin Prochet's inbound pass connected with Matt Scott for a layup to give Niagara an 89-86 lead. On the game's final possession, Cornell's Matt Morgan's deep 3-pointer rimmed out at the buzzer as the Purple Eagles escaped with a pre-holiday break win.  
 
The first half featured several runs by both teams. The Big Red had a 9-0 and 10-0 run, while the Purple Eagles had runs of 7-0, 9-0, and 13-0 in the half. Niagara's 13 straight points were a part of a 20-4 run to close out the final 6:24 of the half for a 49-38 halftime lead.
 
The run carried over into the early stages of the second half. A Kahlil Dukes jumper and a Scott tip-in gave Niagara its largest lead of the game, 53-38, 1:21 into the second frame. The Purple Eagles had to fend off a few late runs by the Big Red. Cornell used a 10-0 run to cut Niagara's lead to 70-68 with 10:29 remaining; though the Purple Eagles responded with nine straight points.
 
A 14-4 run by the Big Red trimmed Niagara's lead to 83-82 with 2:56 left. After an empty possession by Cornell, a Greg King layup extended NU's advantaged to 85-82 heading into the final minute. Cornell's Stone Gettings made 1 of 2 free throws with 19 seconds left, but Prochet made two clutch free throws on Niagara's next possession. Morgan hit a 3-pointer on Cornell's next possession to setup the nail-biting finish.
 
Eagle's Eye On…

• Kahlil Dukes finished with a team-high 28 points for his 10^th 20-point game of the season. Dukes was 9-for-16 from the field and a perfect 8-for-8 at the free-throw line to tie a season-high in made free throws.
• Matt Scott notched his second straight double-double, and fourth of the season, with his 10^th 20-point game with 23 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.  
• Marvin Prochet had 17 points and 12 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. Prochet also had a team-high four assists.
• James Towns scored 10 points and had three steals to share game-high honors with Scott.

 
Inside The Numbers

• Four Purple Eagles were in double figures for the second time this season.
• Niagara's 7-6 record is its best start through 13 games, and best non-conference record, since the 2009-10 season (8-5)
• The Purple Eagles' three-game winning streak is their first since closing out the 2014-15 regular season with four straight wins, which was also the last time Niagara won three straight road games.
• The Purple Eagles are 4-1 in December for the first time since 2009.
• Niagara is 4-0 in games decided by less than five points.  

 
Up Next

• The Purple Eagles open MAAC play against two-time defending champion Iona on Friday, December 29 at 7 p.m.
• The game will air on the Niagara Sports Network via LCTV and AM 1400 WWWS.
• 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 @NUPurpleEagles and for men's basketball updates at @NiagaraMBB. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles