By Jonah Bronstein
Niagara Gazette
JERSEY CITY, N.J.
January 09, 2009 10:34 pm
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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.
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