BUFFALO, N.Y. – Niagara (14-12, 10-6 MAAC) saw its road win streak come to an end on Friday night following a 69-59 loss to Canisius (11-15, 6-10 MAAC) in MAAC men's basketball action from the Koessler Athletic Center.
 
Four Golden Griffins recorded double-digit points Friday night, led by 16 points from Tre Dinkins, 15 from Devean Williams, and 12 apiece from TJ Gadsen and Cam Palesse. The Griffs finished the game shooting 46.6 percent from the field, including 43.8 percent from behind the arc. Canisius won the battle on the boards, 39-31, with a game-high 11 from Frank Mitchell.
 
Harlan Obioha notched his fifth double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds while Braxton Bayless poured in a game-high 17 points, including nine points at the line. Kwnae Marble Jr. added 13 points and seven rebounds. Niagara finished the game 18-for-50 from the field and 21-for-27 at the line.
 
How it Happened
Canisius would jump out to an early lead on its home court, making five of its first eight baskets to take a 12-0 lead and force Niagara to take an early timeout.
 
Obioha would finally get Niagara on the board following the timeout, followed by a Bayless layup inside to make it four-straight points for the Purple and White. However, Canisius would answer with a 9-3 spurt to make it a 21-7 lead over Niagara with 10:14 to go in the first half.
 
A 10-2 run for Niagara over the next 2:26 put the Purple and White down by six, 23-17, but once again the Golden Griffins would answer, this time with a 13-1 run over the next 4:02 to double up Niagara, 36-18, at the under-four media timeout.
 
Niagara would close the half outscoring Canisius 7-3 to make it a 14-point Griffs lead, 39-25, at the break.
 
It took the Purple Eagles just over six minutes to draw within 10-points, 49-39, as they started the half 6-for-11 from the field with Marble scoring seven of his 13 in that span.
 
Five minutes later Bayless would put NU down by five, 53-48, with 8:45 to go in the contest and a minute and a half later the Ankeny, Iowa, product would put his team down three, 53-50.
 
The Golden Griffins once again responded to the Niagara push with a 10-3 run over the next 2:49 to go back up by double-digits, 63-53, with 3:04 to play.
 
After Niagara pulled within six, 63-57, with 1:46 to play, Dinkins would hit a dagger three to put away the Purple and White.  
 
Niagara Notes
• Friday marked the 195th meeting all-time between Niagara and Canisius. The Purple Eagles are now 111-84 all-time against the Griffs.
• Niagara was outrebounded for the first time since hosting Canisius on Feb. 6, 2024.
• Bayless' 12 free-throw attempts were the most by a Purple Eagle this season and a career-high for the senior.
• Marble had a season-high four assists, matching his career-high set in 2020 in a game against Boise State.
• Bayless recorded his 16th game with double figures this season and 10th in league play.
• The Purple and White scored 30 of their 59 points in the paint.
• Niagara failed to score 60 points for the first time this season.
 
Up Next
Niagara returns home for the first time in nearly a month on Friday, March 1 when it hosts Rider for 7 p.m. contest on ESPN+. Pat Malacaro will describe the action on WGR 550.
 
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