MEN'S BASKETBALL: NU drops to 4-3 with loss at Akron

Sports

November 29, 2009

Staff Reports The Tonawanda News Sun Nov 29, 2009, 11:42 PM EST

After a grueling stretch to open the season, the Niagara University men’s basketball team is licking its wounds.

Sunday’s 80-68 loss at Akron puts Niagara at 4-3 on the season. The Purple Eagles have played just one home game so far.

“I think that the body of work overall is something to be proud of,” coach Joe Mihalich said by phone after the game. “If you would’ve told me in August that we’d be 4-3 after playing six of our first seven games on the road, and five games without Tyrone Lewis, I’d have taken that.”

Lewis led Niagara on Sunday with 21 points in 27 minutes off the bench. He hit five 3-pointers for the second straight game, passing Lorenzo Miles for second place on the school’s all-time list with 220.

Bilal Benn added 17 points, five rebounds and five assists. Demetrius Williamson netted 11 points, and Rob Garrison (Niagara Falls) had seven points and eight rebounds.

Niagara led 31-23 at halftime, but the Zips (4-2) used a 14-6 to close the gap at the start of the half, and then went on a 16-7 run after Lewis put Niagara up 42-41 with about 16 minutes remaining.

Akron benefited from 30 free throw attempts in scoring 57 second-half points. Niagara shot 10 foul shots in the second half.

Niagara has been outscored 133-93 in the second half of its losses to Auburn, Austin Peay and Akron.

Up next for the Purple Eagles are three home games, starting with a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference appetizer. Manhattan visits Friday, and Loyola plays at the Gallagher Center on Sunday.

“We’re gearing up for December,” Mihalich said. “Finally, we get some home games. We can’t wait to play again.”

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.

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MEN'S BASKETBALL: NU drops to 4-3 with loss at Akron

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