Published: November 17, 2009 11:28 pm      

NU BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: Mihalich uncertain when Lewis will return

LEWISTON — Niagara coach Joe Mihalich said the bulky walking boot that Tyrone Lewis is wearing makes his injury look worse than it is, but didn’t sound confidant that the senior guard will be back on the court by the end of the week.

Lewis, who led Niagara in scoring and steals last season, was injured midway through the first half of Friday’s loss at Auburn, and was not in uniform for Tuesday’s home win over Drexel.

Citing HIPAA privacy laws, the Purple Eagles haven’t disclosed Lewis’ specific injury, but alluded to it be a bruise or a sprain near his Achilles tendon.

“I don’t know exactly what the injury is,” Mihalich said. “It’s a long word.”

Lewis wore a walking boot that extended to just below his left knee at Tuesday’s game. During warmups, he was asked when he’ll back be in action.

“Thursday,” he said.

“The boot looks really drastic, but I think it’s really precautionary,” Mihalich said. “He’s getting better all of the time. ... It’s not major; it’s not season-ending. It’s day to day.”

Niagara is scheduled to play games on Friday (vs. Howard), Saturday (vs. Central Florida) and Sunday (vs. Austin Peay) at the Glenn Wilkes Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla.

“We’ve got to be smart about this weekend,” Mihalich said. “It’s awfully tough not to do anything for a week and then run up and down the floor for three days.”

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Demetrius Williamson started in place of Lewis and played 36 minutes, tying Garrison for the team-high.

The 6-foot-6 swingman gave the Purple Eagles a lot of energy, but struggled when trying to create offense. He needed 15 shots to score eight points and didn’t go to the free throw line. His points came on a pair of assisted 3-pointers and a rebound dunk.

•••

Rob Garrison and Bilal Benn both said they could not fall asleep Monday night knowing they had to get up early to play the first home game of their final college basketball season.

Their younger teammates didn’t have as much trouble.

“Austin (Cooley) was my roommate, he was sleeping well all night, snoring a little,” Garrison said.

“I woke up at 2:40 (a.m.),” Benn said. “Then I woke up at 4:20, and then I woke up right before they called us, thinking I was late. I hopped up and I see Luuk (Kortekaas) under the covers. I said, ‘Luuk, get up.’ And he said, ‘Bilal, it’s only 5:30.’”

How much sleep did Mihalich manage?

“I usually sleep from May until the end of August,” he said.

•••

The 8 a.m. start time and ESPN broadcast didn’t effect turnout very much at the Gallagher Center.

The announced attendance was 2,261, about 150 more than last year’s season opener. That figure includes several empty seats in the season-ticket holder section, but also, an N-Zone jammed with students, some in purple pajamas and bath robes.

“I thought a big part of this win was the Gallagher Center,” Mihalich said. “Our students were just unbelievable. Our staff did a fantastic job filling the building.”

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