Hamden, Conn. – Niagara's second-half surge fell just short as Quinnipiac held on for a 56-55 victory Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Arena.
The Purple Eagles dropped to 6-18 overall and 3-11 in MAAC play, while the Bobcats improved to 17-9 overall, and 10-5 in conference play.
Niagara recorded the first bucket of the afternoon with a dunk from Will Shortt, but Quinnipiac answered back quickly getting out to a 6-3 lead.
A free throw from Justin Hawkins, a two from Shortt and a three from Vice Zanki gave the Purple Eagles the lead back at 8-7.
The Bobcats went on a 16-4 run in the next eight and a half minutes to gain a 22-12 advantage. Zanki snapped the Quinnipiac run with a two, but Quinnipiac responded with four points of their own to take a 12 point lead.
Zanki, Shortt Brian Griffith gave Niagara some life towards the end of the first half keeping it a 12 point lead heading into halftime with the Bobcats leading 36-24.
Out of the halftime break the Purple Eagles started out on a 9-3 run with Hawkins nailing four free throws and Shortt and Zanki both knocking down buckets.
Niagara finally took the lead with 9:58 remaining in the half, after a 13-5 run that was capped off with back-to-back three pointers from Landon Williams and Drew Larson.
Quinnipiac responded with a 9-3 run of their own in the next four minutes to gain a 53-49 advantage down the stretch.
Shortt cut it to a one possession game with 3:24 left and Williams nailed a three to give Niagara a 54-53 lead with less than a minute remaining.
Williams knocked down one of two free throws with 12 second left to give the Purple Eagles a two point lead, but it was not enough as Quinnipiac hit a last second three to secure a 56-55 victory.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 13-15 all-time against Quinnipiac
Shortt recorded his third double-double of the season
The Purple Eagles outscored the Bobcats 31-20 in the second half
Larson recorded a season-high eight points
Up Next
Niagara returns home to face Manhattan Friday February 13 at 6:30 pm inside the Gallagher Center.
