NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – For the second-straight game, four Purple Eagles (7-4, 2-1 MAAC) recorded double-digit scoring numbers to lead to a 67-55 win over Mount St. Mary's (5-9, 1-2 MAAC) Saturday Afternoon in MAAC men's basketball action from the Gallagher Center.
 
Noah Thomasson led the way for Niagara, scoring 22 points, while Aaron Gray (12), Sam Iorio (12), and Bryce Moore (11) also reached double-digit in the scoring column. As a team, Niagara shot 49.0 percent from the floor, 52.2 percent from 3-point land.
 
Game Recap
First Half
• After Mount St. Mary's scored the first two points of the game at the line, Sam Iorio connected on a 3-pointer to give NU its first lead of the game and one the Purple Eagles wouldn't relinquish.
• With the game tied at five, Bryce Moore and Noah Thomasson would connect on back-to-back 3-pointers to give Niagara an 11-5 lead with 16:25 on the clock.
• Later in the half, Niagara's lead would grow to nine, 22-13, following a 11-7 stretch for the Purple Eagles that saw Moore connect on two 3-pointers, while Gray added one of his own.
• A minute and 15 seconds later, the Purple Eagle lead would grow to double-digits, 27-15, when a steal by Iorio led to a 3-pointer for Thomasson.
• Niagara, who hit nine 3-pointers in the half, would go into the break with a nine-point advantage over the Mountaineers, 36-27.
 
Second Half
• The Purple and White lead would grow to 12 after David Mitchell made the team's two first baskets of the half.
• Over the next 3:09 of game action, NU's lead would grow to a game-high 15 points, 45-30, when Thomasson recorded his fourth 3-pointer of the contest.
• Niagara would lay dormant on offense for the next five minutes, allowing Mount St. Mary's trim NU's lead down to nine, 45-36, following a 6-0 run by the visitors.
• Gray would put the team on his back, scoring seven-straight for the Purple Eagles, including a 3-pointer, to put NU back up by 14, 50-36, with 10:15 remaining in the contest.
• Three minutes later, the Mount had Niagara's lead back down to single digits (52-44), but Iorio and Lance Erving would respond with 3-point buckets to swing momentum back in Niagara's favor.
• Niagara would only see its lead in single-digits one last time, after a 3-pointer by the Mount made it a 64-55 game with just under two to play. 
• Thomasson would score the final three points for Niagara, giving the game its 67-55 final.
 
Niagara Notes
• In their first meeting as MAAC foe's, Niagara improves to 3-0 all-time against Mount St. Mary's.
• Niagara shot a season-best 52.2 percent from three, finishing the game 12-for-23 from distance.
• For Thomasson, Saturday marked the sixth time this season the senior has scored 20 or more points, while also matching his career-high with four 3-pointers.
• Gray extended his double-digit point streak to six games.
• After missing the game against Binghamton, Moore contributed 11 points, reaching double figures for the second time this season and first since NU's contest with Stetson back in November.
• Niagara finished with 12 assists, eight steals, forcing 13 Mount St. Mary's turnovers.
• The NU bench recorded 13 points, and the Purple Eagles outscored the Mountaineers 24-23 in the paint.
• Iorio and Gray led the way with five rebounds a piece as NU finished with 26 as a team.
 
Up Next
• Niagara will once again host a MAAC basketball doubleheader on Monday, Jan. 2. The Purple Eagles will play the Rider Broncs at 12 p.m., followed by Canisius and Mount St. Mary's at 3 p.m.
 
All season ticket holders for Canisius and Niagara will have their tickets for Sunday's games honored at the Gallagher Center on Monday afternoon, and one ticket is good for admission to both contests. Tickets for the doubleheader are available, and can be purchased by visiting PurpleEagles.com/tickets. 
 
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