Most of the time, when playing on consecutive days at in-season tournaments, Niagara coach Joe Mihalich doesn’t have his team look at the film from game before. Saturday at the Glenn Wilkes Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla., he broke from that pattern, screening Friday’s win over Howard to show his Purple Eagles how they needed to improve on team defense.
Niagara then went out and held Central Florida to about half as many points as the Golden Knights had scored in their win over Auburn on Friday.
“I’m very proud of this team,” Mihalich said by phone after the 63-46 win. “Everybody knows about this team and how they compete and how they’re winners, but one of the great qualities about them is how they really, really want to be good. They want you to tell them when they’re not doing something right.”
Niagara (3-1) held Central Florida (3-1) scoreless in the first four minutes, and didn’t allow a field goal in the final five minutes of the first half. For the game, Central Florida shot just 31.6 percent and turned the ball over 23 times.
Kashief Edwards led the defensive effort with four blocked shots, giving the sophomore forward 11 in Niagara’s last three games, all wins. Edwards also had eight points and seven rebounds.
Demetrius Williamson led the scoring with 13 points, all in the second half. Bilal Benn also came on strong late, finishing with 10 points, six rebounds and three steals after missing much of the first half due to foul trouble.
“Meetch could’ve gotten rattled and so could’ve Bilal after the first half,” Mihalich said. “But they kept their composure.”
Anthony Nelson had 11 points and five assists, and Niagara Falls native Rob Garrison added eight points, three assists and two steals. Austin Cooley connected on a pair of 3-pointers for the second straight game, and freshman centers Scooter Gillette and Eric Williams combined to shoot 7 of 8 from the foul line and grab four rebounds.
Niagara won its third straight game without returning all-conference player Tyrone Lewis, who is recovering from a foot injury. Mihalich said it was unlikely Lewis would play today, but if trainer John Munro clears him, Lewis will return to the lineup.
The Purple Eagles now face Austin Peay, looking to win three games in three days, which come March, will be the task that leads to NCAA tournament.
“We’re going to pretend we’re playing Siena for the MAAC championship,” Mihalich said.
Niagara U.
MEN'S BASKETBALL: Team defense leads Niagara to win
- Niagara U.
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Niagara shuts out Canisius
Paul Zanette had a goal and assist while goaltender Chris Noonan made 29 saves to propel the Niagara University men’s hockey team to a critical 3-0 victory over Canisius at the Buffalo State College Sports Complex.
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Situation getting worse for Niagara basketball team
Niagara sank into last place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 51-49 loss at Manhattan, which came into the game on a 15-game losing streak Monday. And that was hardly the most ominous news to come out of the lost weekend, which also included Saturday’s setback at Saint Peter’s.
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Niagara falls hard in big game
With Calvin Murphy being honored at halftime and ESPNU showing the game nationwide, the Purple Eagles missed more than twice as many shots as they made and lost 82-65 to visiting Metro Atlantic Athletic foe Rider before a crowd of 1,275.
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A legend holds court at NU
Calvin Murphy adds to his legend in return
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Calvin Murphy excited to come back to Niagara
Murphy is passionate about showing his loyalty to Niagara because the university has done the same for him over the years.
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Niagara loses by 45 at Drexel
The Niagara men’s basketball team suffered through its most lopsided loss in over a decade on its worst offensive night in almost a century.
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Niagara making impression in Atlantic Hockey
As second semester approaches, Purple Eagles have rebounded after down year
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Purple Eagles encouraged to follow the leader
Having lost seven of eight games for just the second time in his 12 years at Niagara, coach Joe Mihalich is concerned that his roster of mostly freshmen and sophomores is not responding to the leadership being provided by his lone senior.
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Dobrich pursues his passion coaching the Purple Eagles
Luke Dobrich, 32, is in his eighth season as a men’s basketball assistant coach at Niagara, and his first as the senior member of head coach Joe Mihalich’s staff.
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Nelson’s basket lifts NU past Bowling Green
Anthony Nelson’s basket with just a second left on the shot clock proved the game’s winning play as the Purple Eagles evened their record at 2-2 with a 65-61 victory over Bowling Green on Friday.
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