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Niagara University Athletics

Gray takes opening tip at Siena
56
Winner Niagara Niag 13-9,8-5 MAAC
54
Siena Siena 15-9,9-4 MAAC
Winner
Niagara Niag
13-9,8-5 MAAC
56
Final
54
Siena Siena
15-9,9-4 MAAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Niagara Niag 21 35 56
Siena Siena 27 27 54

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Niagara Earns Comeback Win Over Siena

Niagara Earns Comeback Win Over Siena. 
 
ALBANY, NY – Niagara (13-9, 8-5 MAAC) erased a 10-point deficit to earn a 56-54 win over Siena (15-9, 9-4 MAAC) Sunday afternoon in MAAC men's basketball action from MVP Arena.
 
Noah Thomasson led Niagara with 18 points, followed by Sam Iorio with 12. Braxton Bayless added eight points, nine rebounds, three steals, and three assists to help the Purple Eagles win their fourth-straight game. Niagara shot 48.9 percent from the field as a team and outrebounded the Saints 31-30. 
 
Game Recap
First Half
• The Saints would have a 7-6 lead at the first media timeout of the contest after both teams traded baskets through the first four-plus minutes of action. 
• Siena would take a 14-8 lead three minutes later, a 7-2 run for the Saints. 
• Joe Kasperzyk would connect on a 3-pointer from the wing to end the Saint run and put the Purple and White down by three, 14-11. 
• Siena would score five-straight to take a 19-11 lead before Kasperzyk hit the backend of two at the line to put NU down 19-12 with 8:21 to go in the half. 
• The next 2:45 of gameplay saw Siena go up by double-digits, 24-14, its largest lead of the game.  
• The Purple Eagles would close the half on a 7-2 run, cutting the Saints lead to 27-21 at the break. 
 
Second Half
• The Purple Eagles scored the first six points of the half to tie the game at 27-27 before Siena jumped back on top by five, 32-27.
• Bayless and Thomasson would complete and-1 chances to give Niagara a 33-32 lead over Siena with 14:04 remaining. 
• The teams would trade the lead three times over the next four minutes of play before the Saints took a 40-39 lead at the under-12 media mark. 
• An 8-0 Niagara spurt over three minutes gave the Purple Eagles a 48-40 lead with 7:28 on the clock.
• The Saints would work the game back to a 52-52 tie with 1:30 to go in regulation. 
• Thomasson would drive to the basket to give NU a 54-52 lead with 1:03 to go in the contest. 
• Following a Siena timeout, Iorio intercepted a pass and was immediately fouled. He would make the backend of two at the line to give NU a 55-52 lead. The vet would make another free throw to put NU up by four with under 30 seconds to go. 
• With less than 10 seconds to play, Siena would connect on a layup and, on its next possession, go to the line for two shots. 
• The Saints would miss both, allowing Gray to secure the loose ball and hold it as time expired. 
 
Niagara Notes
• Sunday marked the 109th meeting of all time between Niagara and Siena. The Purple Eagles improve to 51-58 in the series. 
• Seven of the last nine meetings with Siena have been decided by six points or less or in overtime. 
• Sunday marked just the third road win Niagara has had over Siena in the last 16 games in Albany, NY. 
• After grabbing just 17 rebounds in the first matchup with the Saints this season (Jan. 13), the Purple and White snagged 31 boards, compared to 30 for Siena. Niagara is now 7-1 this season when grabbing more rebounds than its opponent. 
• Thomasson led Niagara in scoring for the 16th time this season and the 21st time in his two seasons as a Purple Eagles. 
• Iorio reached double-figures for the ninth time this season, with four coming at the line. 
• Bayless led NU in rebounding for the fourth time this season, setting a season-high with nine. The Ankeny, Iowa product also led NU in assists and steals, with three apiece. 
• Kasperzyk led the Niagara reserves with six points. 
• NU outscored Siena 36-20 in the paint.
• Niagara's four-game win streak matches its longest of the season. 
 
Up Next
• Niagara will celebrate Calvin Murphy Night at the Gallagher Center on Friday, Feb. 11, when it hosts Quinnipiac. The contest between the Purple Eagles and Bobcats is set for a 7 p.m. start on ESPN3. Fans can also tune in to 1400AM/107.3FM and the Niagara Sports Network (audio only) to hear Pat Malacaro describe the action. 
 
For tickets, visit purpleeagles.com/tickets or call the Niagara Ticket Office at (716) 286-8499. 
 
Stay connected with Niagara Men's Basketball on Twitter and Instagram. Follow Niagara Athletics all year long on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, purpleeagles.com, and the Niagara Purple Eagles app. 
 
 
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