POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Niagara took the lead from the start and would not let go as the Red Foxes battled back but would ultimately fall short, 68-61, Saturday evening at McCann Arena.
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The Red Foxes finish the regular season 18-12 overall and 14-4 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play. Niagara earns its second consecutive road win at McCann and finishes the season 12-17 overall and 9-9 in league play.
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SUMMARY
- The first quarter was all Niagara as they jumped out to an early lead. They ended the quarter with a 7-0 run giving them a 21-14 lead over Marist.
- The Purple Eagles would continue to hit on all cylinders to start the second. They would go on an 11-0 run making it a 32-19 game with six minutes left in the half.
- Marist would battle back at the end of the second to cut the lead down to eight. The Foxes trailed 36-28 at half.
- Marist and Niagara would exchange blows for the first half of the third quarter but Marist would still trail 45-38.
- The Red Foxes went ice cold in the beginning of the fourth going on a three-minute scoring drought. Niagara was able to jump out to a nine-point lead and led Marist 55-45
- Despite a late surge from Marist, the Red Foxes were never able to overcome the early deficit, falling 68-61.
KEY STATS
- Marist never led in the game as Niagara led wire-to-wire.
- Alan Gilmer led Marist with 20 points and nine rebounds.
- Marist had three players score in double digits, Gilmer (20), Rebekah Hand (16), and Willow Duffell (10).
- The Purple Eagles forced Marist into 22 turnovers behind 13 steals. The Red Foxes forced 15 Niagara turns.Â
NOTES
- Gilmer's 20 point game was her second consecutive and 10th of the season and career.
QUOTE
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"We have to play better and handle the ball better," Head coach
Brian Giorgis said. "Tough way to finish the regular season but we are 17-5 in 22 games this year and it's important not to forget that."
UP NEXT
With the Red Foxes now locked into the #2 seed, the team's first game will be on Friday, March 2 at 3:30 p.m. in the quarterfinal round. Should they win, the remaining schedule is as follows: Semifinal: Sunday, March 4 - 1:30 p.m. Final: Monday, March 5 - 2:30 p.m.
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