NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – Four Purple Eagles reached double-digits in the scoring column, led by
Noah Thomasson's 27 to defeat Binghamton (4-8) 73-67 Wednesday night inside the Gallagher Center to finish non-conference play over .500 for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
Aaron Gray,
Sam Iorio, and
Lance Erving added 13, 12, and 10 points, respectively, with Iorio leading the team with seven rebounds. As a team, Niagara shot 52.3 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from 3-point range, and 84.0 percent from the line.
Game Recap
First Half
• Niagara jumped out to a 13-6 lead in the 7:54 of action, with Thomasson leading the charge with six points while holding Binghamton to 2-10 from the field during that span.
• Thomasson nailed a 3-pointer as the possession clock expired to double up the Bearcats, 16-8.
• That 3-pointer sparked a 17-9 run for the Purple and White over the 7:17 of game time to take a 30-17 lead over the Bearcats with 3:58 left in the half.
• The half ended with Niagara up 34-22, matching its largest lead at the break this season.
• Thomasson finished the half with 13 points, while the Purple Eagles shot 53.8 percent from the field as a unit in the first 20-minutes of action.
Second Half
• Erving and Gray scored the first two baskets out of the break to give NU its largest lead of the contest, 38-22.
• Over the next 7:20 of action, the Purple and White's lead would shrink back down to single digits, 45-37, but Iorio would connect on a wide-open 3-pointer to give Niagara back its double-digit advantage.
• The Bearcats, led by Jacob Falko, who finished with a game-high 36 points, would claw their way back within two of the Purple Eagles, 52-50 with just over five minutes to play.
• From there Thomasson would shimmy his way to a layup, and Iorio would deliver once again on a wide-open 3-pointer to swing the momentum back into NU's favor and give the team a 57-50 lead.
• After a made layup by Falko, Niagara went on a 6-0 run to go up by 11, 63-52, with 1:48 remaining in the contest.
• The Purple Eagles would end the game 8-for-9 at the line to secure its third home win of the season, 73-67.
Niagara Notes
• Niagara takes a 2-1 series lead over Binghamton with the win.
• The Purple and White improve to 22-10 in the Gallagher Center under head coach
Greg Paulus.
• The Purple Eagles have finished .500 or better in non-league action eight times since the 2010-11 season. Under Paulus, NU has finished .500 or better in three of four seasons.
• Niagara made a season-high 21 shots at the line, led by Gray who made 6-of-7 at the stripe.
• The Purple Eagles 84.0 percent mark from the field is the highest against a Division I program this season.
• The Purple and White scored 12 fast break points, 11 off turnovers, and 32 in the paint.
• Thomasson reached double-digits for the ninth time this season, while eclipsing 20 points for the fifth time.
• Iorio was the team's leading rebounder for the third time this season.
• Wednesday marked the first time since the game against Stetson on Nov. 19 that four Purple Eagles reached double figures.
• The Purple Eagles never trailed as they held a lead for 36:35 of game time.
Up Next
• The Purple Eagles continue their three-game homestand with a pair of MAAC games. First, Niagara will take on conference newcomer Mount St. Mary's on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m., followed by a date with Rider at 1 p.m. on New Year's Day. Tickets for both games can be purchased via
PurpleEagles.com/Tickets or by calling (716) 286-TIXX (8499).
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