HAMDEN, Conn. —
Justice Smith hit a clutch 3-pointer with 1:12 remaining as Niagara rallied from an eight-point deficit in the final 3:29 to stun MAAC leader Quinnipiac 76-75 on Saturday.
How it Happened
Smith, who finished with 14 points, drained the go-ahead triple to cap an 11-0 run that turned a 70-62 deficit into a 73-70 Purple Eagles lead. Niagara (9-14, 4-8 MAAC) held on despite MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Amarri Monroe scoring 22 points and Paul Otieno adding 28 for the Bobcats (14-10, 10-3 MAAC).
The Purple Eagles' bench provided a crucial spark, outscoring Quinnipiac's reserves 48-13.
Olumide Adelodun matched Smith with 14 points, including four 3-pointers in the second half and
Jaeden Marshall added 13 points off the bench.
Niagara overcame a dominant interior performance from Otieno, who shot 10-of-13 from the field. The Purple Eagles countered by hitting 13 of 23 attempts from 3-point range (56.5%).
Quinnipiac controlled most of the contest, leading by as many as 12 points, before Niagara's late surge.
Niagara Notes
• Niagara improves to 13-14 all-time against Quinnipiac.
• The Purple Eagles have won three-straight in Hamden, Conn.
• Niagara has played in eight one-possession games this season, improving to 5-3 in those contests.
• Marshall recorded his 13th game this season with double-digit points.
• Smith has 12 games with double figure points, including eight in league play.
• Shortt finished with a season-high 10 points.
• Demondre McKnight recorded a team-high four assists, setting a new career-best.
Up Next
The Purple Eagles will host rival Canisius on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. inside the Gallagher Center.
