JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The Niagara Purple Eagles had their worst shooting night of the season Friday, but stayed perfect in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference games with a 62-55 win at Saint Peter’s.
“It certainly was not one of our best nights,” coach Joe Mihalich said. “We weren’t clicking offensively, but doggone it, whatever we had to do, we did it.”
The Purple Eagles (13-3, 4-0 MAAC) led by more than 15 points for the first 11 minutes of the second half, but allowed the Peacocks (4-11, 1-4) to get within 60-55 with 3:52 remaining.
Saint Peter’s didn’t score again, as Benson Egemonye had two of his career-high seven blocks in the closing minutes.
Niagara shot just 28.8 percent for the game, and actually made less two-point field goals (eight) than 3s (nine).
“We did a poor job executing down the stretch,” Mihalich said. “But it’s a conference win on the road. We’re hoping we don’t play this way again, but we’ll take getting on the bus with a W.”
Tyrone Lewis led the Purple Eagles with 18 points. Bilal Benn scored 10 of his 11 points in the second half. Egemonye and Demetrius Williamson each had eight points, Anthony Nelson scored seven (all from the free throw line) and Rob Garrison (Niagara Falls) had six points.
Benn matched his MAAC-leading rebound average with nine boards. The Purple Eagles grabbed 20 offensive boards to win the rebounding battle, 36-35.
Lewis and Benn each nabbed three steals as the Purple Eagles forced 20 turnovers.
Niagara held Saint Peters’ leading scorer, Wesley Jenkins, to eight points, barely half of his average. Nick Leon led the Peacocks with 25 points, while Ryan Bacon scored 18.
Niagara looks to avenge last year’s MAAC tournament loss when it visits Marist at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Niagara U.
Related Photos
-
Niagara logo
MEN'S BASKETBALL: NU wins ugly in Jersey
- Niagara U.
-
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
A legend holds court at NU
Calvin Murphy adds to his legend in return
-
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.
-
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.
-
Niagara making impression in Atlantic Hockey
As second semester approaches, Purple Eagles have rebounded after down year
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
- More Niagara U. Headlines
-
Niagara shuts out Canisius
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
