Box Score

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A couple of last-minute free throws denied the Niagara Purple Eagles a win over Little 3 rival St. Bonaventure, 80-75, on Saturday at the Blue Cross Arena.

The Purple Eagles (2-3), who entered the game having won eight of the last nine in the series, were locked with St. Bonaventure (3-1) at 75-75 with 58 seconds left. NU had trailed by six with three minutes left, but an 8-2 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Antoine Mason, tied the game at 75-75.

On the ensuing possession, SBU’s Chris Johnson missed a 3-pointer but Demitrius Conger was fouled on the rebound and he converted two free throws to give the Bonnies a 77-75 lead with 31 seconds left.  The Purple Eagles had a chance to take the lead or tie the game with their next possession. With six seconds remaining, Juan'ya Green inbounded the ball from under the basket to T.J. Cline but the ball was knocked away from him by Michael Davenport. SBU scored three more points from the free-throw line as time expired.

“It was a fight to the final buzzer,” head coach Joe Mihalich said. “In the end for us, it is about defending and rebounding the basketball and until we get better in those two areas it is going to be tough to get it done.”

Niagara took a 33-32 lead into halftime after trailing by seven points in the half. The Purple Eagles reeled off a 12-0 run to take a 25-18 lead with five minutes remaining in the half.

SBU regained the lead by opening the second half with a 9-2 run. However, NU stayed within striking distance and tied the game a couple times as the half winded down.

Four Purple Eagles were in double figures, led by Mason who tied a game-high with 19 points.Ameen Tanksley had 16 and Green and Cline each finished with 11 points.

Niagara continues its five-game road swing by opening conference play against Iona on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m.