POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist men's basketball team earned a thrilling 63-62 victory over Niagara on Senior Day at McCann Arena Saturday afternoon.
Josh Pascarelli's jumper in the waning seconds gave Marist the final points of the game. Niagara's Luke Bumbalough answered with a three-pointer as time expired that was initially called good on the floor, but was reversed after review by instant replay, giving the Red Foxes a one-point victory.
The win enabled Marist to clinch the #3 seed in next week's MAAC Championship and a first-round bye. The #3 seed is Marist's best since 2007.
- Niagara opened the game with a Luke Bumbalough three-pointer, but Marist answered with their own 3 pointer from Javon Cooley.
- A three-pointer from Max Allen II would put the Red Foxes ahead 9-8.
- A jumper from the Purple Eagles would tie the game at 12 with 13:34 to go in the half.
- Back and forth action would result in Niagara taking the lead, 20-18.
- Niagara's 10-0 run would broaden its lead, 30-20 with 4:43 to go in the first half.
- Jackson Price would end Niagara's run with a layup and a free throw.
- A three-pointer from Josh Pascarelli would further cut into the lead, 30-26.
- Niagara would maintain their lead going into halftime, 40-31.
- Marist would open the second half with a jumper from Pascarelli to cut into the deficit.
- Pascarelli would yet again come up big for the Red Foxes, hitting a three-pointer to bring the score to within three.
- Off a flashy block by Cooley, Jadin Collins would make a layup to cut into the deficit, 51-46.
- Price hit a three-pointer with 5:50 to go, bringing the Red Foxes to within four.
- An exchange of personal fouls would lead to two made free throws by Collins.
- With 3:23 to go, the Red Foxes tied the game up at 58-58 with a jumper from Pascarelli.
- With less than one minute to go, Niagara's Quandre Bullock would foul Kam Farris, resulting in Farris making a free throw to put Marist on top, 61-60.
- In a dramatic finish, Josh Pascarelli drained the game-winning jumper with 2.7 seconds left.
- Josh Pascarelli led Marist with 16 points and was 7-for-11 from the field.
- Jackson Price followed closely behind with 13 points.
- Price, Javon Cooley, and Jaden Daughtry all had 5 rebounds.
- Marist was .478 from the field (22-for-46) and .357 from three (5-for-14) while Niagara was .429 from the field (21-for-49) and .500 from three (8-for-16).
- This marks the fourth time this season that the Red Foxes have come back to win after trailing by double digits and the 10th time in John Dunne's six-year tenure as head coach.
- This is the first game this season that Marist defeated its opponent by one point.
- Six of the last 10 Marist-Niagara been decided by five points or less.
- Under Coach Dunne, Marist is now 6-1 against Niagara at McCann Arena.
- Farris made the first start of his Marist career.
- Marist finished the regular season 17-12 overall and 12-8 in MAAC play.
- Niagara is 15-15 overall and went 11-9 in conference play. The Purple Eagles will be seeded sixth at the MAAC Championship.
- In the quarterfinal round of the MAAC Championship, Marist will face either #6 Niagara or #11 Siena at 6:30 p.m. Thursday night at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- The game will be shown on ESPN+, and coverage on the Red Fox Network will begin at 6:15.
