| GAME 8 |
| SCORE |
Niagara Purple Eagles 86, Marist Red Foxes 72 |
| RECORDS |
Niagara (4-4, 3-3 MAAC) | Marist (6-2, 4-2 MAAC) |
| LEADING SCORERS |
Niagara – Marcus Hammond (23) | Marist – Ricardo Wright (19) |
| LOCATION |
McCann Arena |
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – An offensive surge in the first half powered the Purple Eagles on their way to an 86-72 win over the first-place Marist Red Foxes on Saturday.
Game Summary
A 26-4 blitz, including ripping off 20 straight points, propelled the Purple Eagles into a commanding 34-17 first-half lead with six minutes remaining.
The 20-0 run began on a 3-pointer by
Justin Roberts followed by three consecutive 3-pointers by
Nick MacDonald. Four straight points by
Jordan Cintron, including a thunderous dunk, a layup by
Shandon Brown, and a jumper by
Raheem Solomon made up the scoring as NU turned a 13-8 deficit into a 28-13 lead in six minutes. MacDonald drained two more 3-pointers to account for 15 points during the 26-4 run. Niagara's offense kept humming as the Purple Eagles dropped 51 first-half points while making 10 of 20 3-pointers for a 51-37 lead at the break.
The Purple Eagles built a 58-39 lead, their largest of the game, by starting the second half on a 7-2 run. Marist gradually chipped away at the deficit but was turned away by timely baskets. Solomon connected on a 3-pointer for a 72-62 lead with 4:22 remaining and Hammond followed with a 3-pointer on Niagara's next possession for a 75-64 lead with three minutes left. Niagara scored its final 11 points at the free-throw line where the Purple Eagles went 24-for-25.
Eagle's Eye On…
- Marcus Hammond poured in 23 points on 7 of 13 shooting and made a season-high five 3-pointers. He also added six rebounds and two assists.
- Nick MacDonald scored a season-high 15 points – all in the first half – on five 3-pointers.
- Raheem Solomon netted 14 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds in 29 minutes.
- Kobi Nwandu scored 13 points, including going a season-best 8-for-8 at the free-throw line, while also dishing out three assists and grabbing two steals.
- Justin Roberts added 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Inside The Numbers
- The Purple Eagles went 24-25, including making 21 straight, to shoot 96 percent from the charity stripe. The 96 percent is the program's best with a minimum of 25 attempts, since shooting 96.8 percent (30-for-31) against Fairfield on January 31, 1998.
- Niagara's 51 first-half points are the most first-half points since scoring 51 against Marist on January 3, 2013.
- Niagara had a season-low four turnovers.
- Marcus Hammond has three 20-point games against Marist in six meetings, with all three coming in the last four encounters.
- Niagara posted season-highs in points (81), 3-point field goals made (14), and free throws made (24).
- Five Purple Eagles in double figures for the first time this season.
- Niagara outscored Marist in points off turnovers (16-8), bench points (39-14), second-chance points (15-2), and fast-break points (15-5).
Up Next
- The Purple Eagles return to the Gallagher Center to host the Rider Broncs on January 8-9 at 4 p.m. each day.
- Coverage of the game will be provided by ESPN+ or ESPN3 and by the Niagara Sports Network via 107.3 FM/AM 1400 and www.PurpleEagles.com/Watch.
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