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.
Sports
November 29, 2009
MEN'S BASKETBALL: NU drops to 4-3 with loss at Akron
- Sports
-
-
Tonawanda welcomes four more on cherished Wall of Fame
Chris “Mr. Tonawanda” Slauson (Class of 1998), Tom Perkovich (’99), John White (’75) and Jim Keller (’54) were enshrined as part of the 2012 Tonawanda High School Athletic Wall of Fame class prior to Tonawanda’s 69-45 win over Eden Thursday night inside the George Miller Gymnasium.
- Hagner leads Joe’s past North
- THS's Perkovich, Keller, White and Slauson next on Wall
- Ken East ranked atop recent state polls
-
Warriors unbeaten no more
It’s been almost a year since the Tonawanda boys basketball team felt the sting of defeat.
Tuesday, the reminder of that sting left the previously unbeaten Warriors speechless. - White records career win over Davis
- Unbeaten THS hosts Cleve Hill tonight
-
NT’s Bradt, McCabe both have bounced back
North Tonawanda’s Ryan Bradt and Zach McCabe had to put in a little extra work to get back on the court this season.
-
THS tops Eden, takes sole possession of first
Make that two Tonawanda varsity basketball teams sitting atop the ECIC IV standings.
-
Lady Jacks tripped up on senior night
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
