NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Led by a 50.0 percent second-half shooting effort and three Purple Eagles in double figures, Niagara came out on top 69-66 over visiting Saint Francis Saturday night.
How it Happened
The Purple Eagles (5-6) used a decisive 15-4 run to open the second half, turning a one-point halftime deficit into a 50-40 lead with 15:58 remaining.
Zion Russell sparked the surge with back-to-back 3-pointers, while
Justin Page added five points during the run.
Niagara's bench provided a crucial spark, outscoring Saint Francis' reserves 29-12.
Justice Smith was particularly effective off the bench, shooting 7-of-12 from the field including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc for a game-high 17 points.
Miles Webb led Saint Francis (4-7) with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Saint Francis made a late push, tying the game at 64 with 4:09 remaining on Juan Cranford Jr.'s 3-pointer, but Williamson's clutch three with 1:16 remaining and two makes at the line in the final minute sealed the win for Niagara.
The Purple Eagles shot 43.9 percent from the field and connected on 13 three-pointers, with Williamson hitting four from long range. Page added 12 points while Russell finished with eight points in just under 20 minutes of action.
Niagara Notes
• The Purple Eagles move to 15-13 all-time over Saint Francis, including 2-0 in the Paulus era.
• Niagara matched its season-high with 13 3-pointers.
• The Purple Eagles' 17 assists are their most against a Division I opponent this season.
• NU matched their season-best total with three blocks, with freshman
Will Shortt rejecting two.
• Niagara has outscored its opponent in the second half in each of its last four games, resulting in a 3-1 overall record.
• Smith and Page matched their season-best point totals in the win with 17 and 12, respectively.
• Smith's seven makes from the floor match the most by a Purple Eagle this season.
• Williamson's four 3-pointers match his season-high. The Pickering, Ont., native has four games this season with four triples.
Up Next
Niagara will travel to longtime rival St. Bonaventure on Saturday, Dec. 21 for a 1 p.m. contest with the Bonnies.
