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Niagara University Athletics

Marble Jr at Hawaii - Nov. 16, 2023.
Rachel Gorham/Hawaii Athletics
69
Winner Niagara Niag 1-3,0-0 MAAC
61
Saint Francis (PA) SF-PA 2-5,0-0 NEC
Winner
Niagara Niag
1-3,0-0 MAAC
69
Final
61
Saint Francis (PA) SF-PA
2-5,0-0 NEC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Niagara Niag 38 31 69
Saint Francis (PA) SF-PA 24 37 61

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Purple Eagles Defeat Saint Francis (Pa.) on the Road

LORETTO, PA. – Niagara (1-3, 0-0 MAAC) saw four Purple Eagles record double-figures en route to a 69-61 road win over Saint Francis (Pa.) (2-5, 0-0 NEC) Saturday evening in non-conference action at DeGol Arena. 
 
Freshman Ahmad Henderson II led the way with 15 points, 11 of which came in the first half, followed by Yaw Obeng-Mensah and Kwane Marble Jr. with 12 points and Braxton Bayless with 10. Bayless added a team-high five assists, and sophomore Harlan Obioha led Niagara with nine rebounds while adding four points. Niagara shot 61.4 percent from the field as a team, including a 45.5 percent mark from 3-point land. The Purple Eagles went 10-for-16 at the line and outrebounded the Red Flash 33-31. 
 
Saint Francis' Cam Gregory led all scorers with 22, finishing the game 10-for-26 from the field. Gestin Liberis was the only other player in double-digits, adding 11 points off the bench. The Red Flash shot 37.7 percent from the field and 7.7 percent from 3-point land while making 66.7 percent of their attempts at the line. 
 
How it Happened
Saint Francis would have an early two-point margin, 4-2, over Niagara, but two made free-throws by Obeng-Mensah and a 3-pointer from Henderson gave the Purple Eagles their first lead of the contest, 7-4, one they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game. 
 
At the under-12 media timeout, Niagara would hold a 15-8 lead over the Red Flash as the Purple Eagles made three consecutive baskets during a quick 6-0 run. 
 
The Purple Eagle lead would grow to nine points, 24-15, with 7:42 on the clock as Henderson connected on his second 3-pointer of the opening half before finally getting to double-digits 38 seconds later when Obeng-Mensah found Marble Jr for the layup. 
 
With 4:01 left to play in the first half, the Red Flash would pull within six, 28-22, but NU closed out the frame with a 10-2 run that saw Lance Erving lead the way with five points to give the Purple and White a 38-24 lead. 
 
Niagara would take its largest lead of the day, 52-32, after outscoring Saint Francis 14-8 over the first 6:32 of the second half. Obeng-Mensah led the charge with six points, while the team went 7-for-12 from the field to start the half. 
 
Over the following 8:31 game action, the Red Flash would trim the Purple Eagle lead to ten, 50-50, outscoring Niagara 18-8. 
 
Saint Francis would get as close as five as an 11-0 run, which made it a 60-55 game with 2:18 to play before Bayless made a layup in the lane to end the scoreless streak for Niagara. Luke Bumbalough would connect on his first and only 3-pointer of the game with 1:14 on the clock to put Niagara up by eight, 65-57. 
 
Niagara would hold firm over the final minute of play, leading to its first win of 2023-24.  
 
Niagara Notes
• Saturday marked the 27th meeting of all-time between Niagara and Saint Francis (Pa.). The Purple Eagles now hold a 14-13 advantage in the series. 
• Henderson led Niagara in scoring for the third time this season and has reached double-digit scoring numbers in three of four games this year. 
• Niagara's 27 made field goals are its most in a single game this season. The Purple Eagles also set season-highs in rebounds (33) and assists (14).
• Bayless recorded double-figures off the bench for the second consecutive game. The senior's five assists was his season-high and the first time a Purple Eagle recorded five or more assists in a game since Noah Thomasson had nine on Jan. 13, 2023. 
• Niagara last recorded 14 or more assists in a game against Siena in the quarterfinal round of the MAAC Tournament in 2023. 
• Saturday marked the first time Niagara had four players record double-digit scoring numbers since March 9, 2023, against Siena. 
• Niagara last shot 60.0 percent or better from the field on Dec. 12, 2021, in its game against Buffalo State. 
 
Up Next
Niagara will begin a five-game homestand on Dec. 1, when it welcomes Saint Peter's to begin MAAC play. The opening tip between the Purple Eagles and Peacocks is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+ at the Gallagher Center. 
 
Tickets can be purchased by visiting PurpleEagles.com/Tickets, calling (716) 286-TIXX (8499), or emailing tickets@niagara.edu. 
 
 
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