Jan. 15, 2005
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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.-Senior Will McClurkin scored a career-high 24 points to go with eight rebounds to lead Marist to a 88-87 win over Niagara at the James J. McCann Center Saturday evening. Marist improved to 8-7 overall and 5-1 in the MAAC, while Niagara slipped to 9-6 overall and 4-3 in the league.
The Red Foxes also got 20 points from Will Whittington and 18 from redshirt freshman Ryan Stilphen to push the Marist into a tie for first in the MAAC standings with Fairfield. The Stags, who are also 8-7 overall and 5-1 in the MAAC will host Marist on Wednesday, January 19th at 7:30 p.m.
Niagara was led by David Brooks' 23 points, while Juan Mendez, the nation's third-leading scorer, netted 21. Alvin Cruz and James Mathis also posted 13 apiece.
The first half was an offensive showcase as the squads combined for 92 points, with the Purple Eagles holding a 52-40 advantage after a 10-3 run to close the period.
Marist shot right back at the beginning of the second half as it shot out to a 12-0 run in the second half's first 3:13 to knot the affair at 52 all. Niagara pushed the lead back out to six before the Foxes jumped right back into the game on a Carl Hood dunk at the 10:36 mark.
The Red Foxes got down once more by seven (76-69) on a pair of free throws by Mendez at the 6:12 mark, but answered with a 3-pointer by Whittington, a layup by Will McClurkin to force the contest's third tie.
The Foxes took their first lead of the game on a free throw at the 4:13 mark (77-76) and took a lead of five on two separate occasions down the stretch. Whittington's four free throws in the game's final 21 seconds helped salt away the win. Cruz nailed a long 3-pointer for the contest's final margin.
Marist shot 53.6 percent (30-for-56) to Niagara's 37.5 percent (27-for-72) from the field. The Purple Eagles held a slight advantage in the 3-point category (43.8 percent to 42.9 percent), while the Red Foxes connected on 75.9 percent (22-for-29) of their free throws to Niagara's 63.3 percent (19-for-30).
